Bestselling authors who have accused OpenAI of unlawfully using their copyrighted works to train ChatGPT have requested a New York federal judge to compel the company to disclose specifics of its recent $1 billion licensing agreement with Disney. The authors believe that the deal, announced last month, could shed light on the “feasibility” of an AI training licensing market.
The authors’ move is part of an ongoing intellectual property lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company used their works without authorization. By seeking information on the Disney deal, the authors aim to demonstrate the potential value of licensing agreements in the AI training sector.
Lawyers representing the authors have filed a formal request with the court, emphasizing the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of the substantial deal between OpenAI and Disney. They argue that this information could be crucial in determining the value of the authors’ intellectual property and the damages they are entitled to in the lawsuit.
The case, which is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, involves prominent law firms representing both sides. Notable firms involved in the litigation include Boies Schiller, Cowan DeBaets, Faegre Drinker, Keker Van Nest & Peters, Latham & Watkins, Lieff Cabraser, Morrison & Foerster, Orrick Herrington, and Susman Godfrey.
Key companies mentioned in the lawsuit include Microsoft Corp., OpenAI OpCo LLC, and Pixar Inc. The case has attracted significant attention within the legal and intellectual property communities due to its potential implications for AI training practices and intellectual property rights.
As the legal battle unfolds, the demand for transparency regarding the OpenAI-Disney deal highlights the complex intersection of technology, intellectual property, and licensing agreements in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
