What changed

On October 30, 2026, OpenAI and a range of experts, authors, and industry leaders voiced their support for the principle of fair use in the context of AI training. This support comes amid a legal challenge from the New York Times, which argues against the use of copyrighted works for AI training.

What this means in practice

OpenAI and other organizations argue that AI training uses copyrighted works for transformative purposes, not to replace the original content but to create new technologies that benefit the public. This includes advancements in medical research, education, and creative fields. The legal case centers on whether AI training constitutes fair use under copyright law, with experts emphasizing that fair use promotes innovation and creativity rather than stifling it.

Limitations and availability

The supplied announcement does not specify the exact legal arguments or the current status of the case beyond the support for fair use. The focus is on the collective stance of various stakeholders, including authors, journalists, and industry leaders, who believe that fair use is essential for continued innovation. The full legal filings are available on the public court docket, but the details of the case and its potential outcomes remain to be determined.

Source facts for OpenAI Supports Fair Use in AI Training Legal Case: Gans⁠Kevin Kelly⁠Matthew Sag⁠Michael Wall and Sarah Rose Siskind⁠Public Knowledge⁠Ron Suskind and Brian L. Frye⁠United States Government⁠AI ProgressThe Court should reject Plaintiffs’ attempt to extend copyright beyond its established limits. Instead, it enables a broad array of transformative technologies that are already delivering public benefits.
Original AINewsTrend explainer based on the cited source. This graphic summarizes source statements; it is not an independent benchmark.

Sources and further reading

  1. openai: Fair use benefits everyone