German music copyright organization GEMA filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, marking the world's first collective copyright management agency to take legal action against artificial intelligence providers. GEMA accused ChatGPT of unauthorized use of the lyrics of the copyrighted song, a move targeting not only OpenAI LLC, but also its European operating entity, OpenAI Ireland Ltd. The core of the lawsuit is how AI companies use copyrighted materials, and the consequences may affect how AI companies process various protected content, even services that generate audio files without permission. This move also highlights the conflict between the development of artificial intelligence and copyright protection, as well as the impact of legal differences in different jurisdictions on the artificial intelligence industry.
German music copyright organization GEMA filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the Munich District Court on November 13, becoming the world's first collective copyright management agency to take legal action against artificial intelligence providers.
GEMA accused OpenAI of ChatGPT repeating the copyrighted song lyrics without obtaining proper permission or paying creators. The lawsuit not only targets OpenAI LLC in the United States, but also involves OpenAI Ireland Ltd operating in Europe.
GEMA’s goal is to address fundamental legal issues regarding how AI companies use copyrighted materials through this lawsuit. While the direct focus of the lawsuit is song lyrics, the results may affect how AI companies process all types of protected content, including services that generate audio files without permission.
"Our members' songs are not free raw materials for AI companies' business models," said GEMA CEO Tobias Holtzmuller. GEMA also pointed to potential differences in US and European law. While U.S. courts may accept a “fair use” defense that allows certain unpaid uses, GEMA believes that European regulations are more stringent: AI companies must obtain a license to be able to Carry out training.
To this end, GEMA recently proposed a licensing framework for AI systems, requiring a 30% share of the net income from AI models. The program covers the initial training of artificial intelligence and the use of subsequently generated music content, aiming to compensate creators.
Generative AI services could put 27% of songwriter revenue at risk, according to a GEMA study. According to the survey, 71% of creators believe that artificial intelligence threatens their economic stability. Although OpenAI recently won a copyright lawsuit in the United States, the legal environment for AI training, generating and copyright data remains complex.在美国，索尼等大型音乐公司也在对AI 音乐生成器提起诉讼，争议依然存在。
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GEMA filed a lawsuit in Munich accusing OpenAI of using song lyrics without permission.
GEMA emphasizes that European laws are stricter and that AI companies must obtain copyright licenses.
GEMA proposes a licensing framework that requires 30% of the net revenue of AI models as compensation.
GEMA's lawsuit against OpenAI will have a profound impact on the artificial intelligence industry. It not only affects the ownership and protection of music copyrights, but also affects the future development of artificial intelligence companies in data use and business models. The final result of this lawsuit will provide an important reference for the balance between artificial intelligence technology and intellectual property protection and prompt the industry to formulate a more complete copyright protection mechanism.