Seattle Times and Newsday Join Legal Offensive Against OpenAI

The filing characterizes generative AI as a self-defeating system, describing it as a snake eating its own tail. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim that ChatGPT and Copilot are not mere content creators, but rapacious consumers that repackage human-authored work into derivative imitations. This legal challenge follows a precedent set by The New York Times in 2023, which initiated a wave of similar litigation across the publishing sector.

This specific case carries an added layer of complexity, as Microsoft and OpenAI have previously provided financial backing for journalism fellowships and projects at The Seattle Times. Responding to the filing, a Microsoft spokesperson expressed surprise at the move, stating the company remains open to exploring solutions to resolve the dispute.