Los Angeles, California – A federal judge has dismissed multiple claims in a lawsuit filed against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, by authors Sarah Silverman, Richard Kadrey, Christopher Golden, and Paul Tremblay. The authors alleged that OpenAI utilized their books without authorization to develop its large language models, which are marketed as powerful tools for automating tasks through human-like conversation.
The dismissed claims included vicarious copyright infringement, negligence, and unjust enrichment. AI expert Marva Bailer stated that more cases like this can be expected in the future, as authors and artists are being asked to connect the dots and prove the derivative nature of the input and output of OpenAI’s large language model.
The lawsuit also included a claim under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which was dismissed due to lack of evidence. However, the judge did uphold the unfair competition claim, allowing Silverman and her fellow plaintiffs to continue with that claim until March 13. Bailer pointed out that for influential figures like Silverman and best-selling authors, proving loss of income or opportunity due to companies like OpenAI can be challenging.
Furthermore, Bailer emphasized that the lawsuit is less about compensation and more about intellectual control and consistency. The evolving nature of technology and AI models raises questions about the protection of individuals’ brand and likeness in the future. As the case progresses, Bailer noted that patience will be required to navigate the complexities of this new model of AI integration with creative works. She highlighted the importance of considering future economies and opportunities that could arise from such technological advancements.
In essence, the lawsuit against OpenAI reflects the intricate intersection of art, technology, and intellectual property rights. With the continuing advancement of AI, such legal battles are expected to become more frequent, shaping the landscape of intellectual property rights in the digital age.