Microsoft Claims Copilot Rarely Reproduces NYT Articles in Legal Filings
In ongoing legal battles over AI copyright, Microsoft has disclosed that its chatbot, Copilot, rarely reproduces full sentences or substantial chunks of news articles. The company provided 8.2 million chat logs to an expert hired by publishers and found fewer than 1 percent contained at least 16 words from copyrighted content like those in the New York Times. Microsoft argues these findings support its position that using copyrighted material for AI training constitutes fair use, as Copilot's purpose is transformative compared to original works. The company also highlighted minimal overlap with books and other media, suggesting limited direct competition or infringement. These filings are part of a broader legal challenge from publishers and authors who claim Microsoft and OpenAI built products on their content. The case remains active, with the judge considering whether to grant summary judgment in favor of Microsoft early in proceedings.
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Topics: AI Copyright Law Fair Use Microsoft Copilot