Thomson Reuters Secures Landmark Victory in AI Copyright Case

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Thomson Reuters has achieved a significant legal victory, winning the first major AI copyright case in the United States against Ross Intelligence. The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, centered on allegations that Ross Intelligence unlawfully reproduced content from Thomson Reuters' legal research platform, Westlaw. US District Court Judge Stephanos Bibas ruled in favor of Thomson Reuters, stating that "none of Ross’s possible defenses holds water," as he dismissed their arguments entirely.

The ruling carries important implications for the ongoing legal disputes between generative AI companies and content rightsholders. Currently, there are many lawsuits in the US, alongside international challenges in countries such as China and Canada. Judge Bibas's decision specifically addressed the fair use doctrine, a critical defense for AI companies, ruling against Ross Intelligence on key factors that determine fair use applicability.

Legal experts, including Cornell University professor James Grimmelmann, expressed concerns that this ruling could negatively impact generative AI companies if followed in future cases, potentially complicating their legal strategies. Ross Intelligence, which closed its operations in 2021 due to legal costs, was notably affected by the litigation outcomes.

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