CNN Takes Legal Action Against Perplexity Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
CNN has filed a lawsuit against AI search company Perplexity AI, accusing the firm of unlawfully using and distributing its news content without authorization.
The case, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, marks CNN’s first legal challenge related to artificial intelligence and is believed to be the first copyright lawsuit of its kind brought by a television news network.
The dispute highlights the growing tension between media organizations and AI companies over the use of copyrighted journalism in training and powering generative AI tools. News publishers have increasingly argued that AI firms should compensate content creators when their work is used to generate responses for users.
In a statement, CNN said the lawsuit seeks to ensure that companies benefiting from journalistic content are held accountable for its use. The network argued that quality journalism requires substantial investment and that businesses leveraging such content should provide fair compensation to its creators.
According to court documents, CNN and Perplexity previously held discussions about a potential licensing agreement. However, the parties were unable to reach terms. CNN alleges that despite the absence of an agreement, Perplexity continued accessing and using its content.
Perplexity has rejected the allegations. Responding to the lawsuit, the company’s Chief Communications Officer, Jesse Dwyer, argued that factual information itself cannot be copyrighted, a position that has become central to several ongoing legal battles involving AI companies.
CNN emphasized that it supports the responsible use of artificial intelligence and has entered into commercial partnerships with some technology firms. The network noted that it prefers negotiated licensing arrangements but is prepared to seek legal remedies when agreements cannot be reached.
The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Perplexity. Other publishers and media organizations, including The New York Times, News Corp, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Yomiuri Shimbun, have also pursued legal action against the AI startup in recent years.
At the same time, several publishers have opted for licensing agreements rather than litigation. Media organizations such as TIME, Le Monde, Der Spiegel, and Gannett have entered into partnerships with Perplexity to provide authorized access to their content.
The case is expected to further shape the ongoing debate over copyright, fair use, and the future relationship between news publishers and artificial intelligence companies.
