Chicago Tribune Files Lawsuit Against Perplexity | TechCrunch

The Chicago Tribune Takes Legal Action Against AI Search Engine Perplexity

On Thursday, the Chicago Tribune launched a lawsuit against AI search engine Perplexity, alleging copyright infringement in a case filed in a New York federal court.

Allegations of Copyright Infringement

According to the complaint, the Tribune’s legal team reached out to Perplexity in mid-October to inquire about the use of its content. Perplexity’s lawyers responded that while the platform did not train its models on the Tribune’s work, it might receive “non-verbatim factual summaries,” a claim the lawsuit disputes.

Claims of Verbatim Content Delivery

The Tribune’s attorneys contend that Perplexity is indeed providing its content in verbatim form, raising serious concerns over unauthorized use.

Issues with Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)

Adding another layer to the complexity, the Tribune’s lawyers are also criticizing Perplexity’s retrieval augmented generation (RAG) methods. RAG aims to reduce inaccuracies by utilizing only verified data sources, yet the Tribune claims that its content is being included in Perplexity’s RAG systems without consent. Moreover, the Tribune alleges that Perplexity’s Comet browser circumvents the newspaper’s paywall to deliver detailed article summaries.

A Broader Trend in Media Lawsuits

The Tribune is one of 17 news organizations under MediaNews Group and Tribune Publishing that sued OpenAI and Microsoft over model training materials back in April, a case that is still pending. Additionally, nine similar lawsuits were filed against the model developer and its cloud provider in November.

Legal Ramifications for Content Creators

Numerous creators have initiated lawsuits against AI model developers regarding the use of their work for training purposes. The upcoming court rulings will be pivotal in defining the legal responsibilities pertaining to RAG.

Perplexity’s Current Legal Challenges

Perplexity has yet to comment on the Chicago Tribune’s lawsuit or respond to queries from TechCrunch. The AI search engine is already facing other legal challenges; for example, Reddit filed a lawsuit in October, and Dow Jones is also pursuing legal action. Recently, Amazon sent a cease-and-desist letter regarding AI browser shopping, signaling ongoing tensions in the industry.

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Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Chicago Tribune’s lawsuit against Perplexity:

1. What is the Chicago Tribune’s lawsuit against Perplexity about?

The Chicago Tribune filed a lawsuit against AI search engine Perplexity, alleging copyright infringement. The Tribune claims that Perplexity is delivering its content verbatim without permission and is using the newspaper’s material in its retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems. Additionally, the Tribune alleges that Perplexity’s Comet browser bypasses the paper’s paywall to provide detailed summaries of its articles. (techcrunch.com)

2. When was the lawsuit filed?

The lawsuit was filed on December 4, 2025, in a federal court in New York. (techcrunch.com)

3. What is Perplexity’s response to the lawsuit?

As of now, Perplexity has not publicly responded to the Chicago Tribune’s lawsuit. The company has faced similar legal challenges from other media organizations, including News Corp’s Dow Jones and The New York Times, over allegations of content scraping and copyright infringement. (techcrunch.com)

4. Has the Chicago Tribune taken similar legal actions before?

Yes, the Chicago Tribune is part of a group of 17 news publications from MediaNews Group and Tribune Publishing that sued OpenAI and Microsoft over model training material in April 2025. Another nine publications from these groups filed a lawsuit against the model maker and its cloud provider in November 2025. (techcrunch.com)

5. What is retrieval-augmented generation (RAG)?

RAG is a method used in AI to limit hallucinations by having the model only use accurate or verified data sources. In this context, the Tribune alleges that Perplexity is using its content in its RAG systems without permission. (techcrunch.com)

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Implications of Elon Musk’s Latest Lawsuit Against OpenAI on the AI Industry

Elon Musk Files Federal Lawsuit Against OpenAI: Impact on AI Industry

Renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched a new federal lawsuit against OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman, and co-founder Greg Brockman, sparking a legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for the artificial intelligence industry. This lawsuit, filed in early August, goes beyond Musk’s previous accusations and alleges violations of federal racketeering laws and a betrayal of OpenAI’s original mission. The original lawsuit was dropped after a blog response from OpenAI in March.

Key Issues in the Lawsuit

Musk’s lawsuit raises several critical allegations that challenge OpenAI’s current practices and partnerships, including violations of its original mission, concerns about AGI development and commercialization, and scrutiny of the Microsoft partnership.

Defining AGI: Legal and Technical Challenges

This legal battle brings the concept of Artificial General Intelligence into focus, presenting challenges in defining AGI legally and its implications for AI research and development.

Impact on AI Partnerships and Investment

The lawsuit shines a light on partnerships and investments in the AI industry, with potential repercussions for major collaborations like OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft and implications for other AI companies and investors.

Broader Industry Consequences

The repercussions of this lawsuit extend beyond the immediate parties involved, potentially reshaping the AI industry and prompting a reevaluation of AI development models and ethical considerations.

The Bottom Line

Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI marks a pivotal moment for the AI industry, raising complex issues around AI development and ethical considerations. The outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact the future of AI development, collaboration, and regulation.

  1. What is the lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against OpenAI about?
    Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for breach of contract and defamation. He claims that OpenAI falsely accused him of attempting to sell a software project to a competitor of Tesla, which led to his removal from the board of directors.

  2. Why is Elon Musk suing OpenAI?
    Elon Musk is suing OpenAI because he believes that the organization’s actions have damaged his reputation and resulted in financial losses for him. He also alleges that OpenAI violated their contract by making false statements about him.

  3. What impact does Elon Musk’s lawsuit have on the AI industry?
    Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI raises concerns about ethics and accountability in the AI industry. It highlights the potential risks of conflicts of interest and the need for transparency and regulation in the development and deployment of AI technologies.

  4. How will Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI affect the collaboration between the two organizations?
    Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI is likely to strain the relationship between the two organizations and could lead to a breakdown in collaboration. This could have implications for the development of AI technologies and research projects that rely on cooperation between industry leaders and academic institutions.

  5. What does Elon Musk’s renewed legal action against OpenAI signify for the future of AI development?
    Elon Musk’s renewed lawsuit against OpenAI underscores the growing complexity and challenges of AI development in the modern era. It raises questions about intellectual property rights, commercial interests, and the need for greater regulation and oversight in the AI industry.

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