Mainichi protests US-based Perplexity AI’s unauthorized article use as ‘copyright violation’ – The Mainichi

Kyodo News, Sankei Shimbun lodge similar protests

TOKYO — The Mainichi Newspapers Co. sent a letter of protest on Dec. 1 to U.S.-based generative AI company Perplexity AI Inc. asserting that articles distributed on its news site were used without permission.

The Mainichi Newspapers argues that Perplexity AI creates responses to users based on articles obtained without permission on the generative AI search service it operates, and asserts this constitutes copyright infringement. Kyodo News and Sankei Shimbun Co. also sent similar letters of protest the same day.

Regarding Perplexity AI, three other Japanese newspaper companies, The Yomiuri Shimbun, The Asahi Shimbun Co. and Nikkei Inc., earlier filed suit at the Tokyo District Court seeking damages.

48 member newspapers of Kyodo News issue protest statements

The Mainichi Newspapers, Kyodo News and Sankei Shimbun demand an immediate halt to the unauthorized use of their content, with a view to potentially taking legal action. On Dec. 1, 48 local and other newspapers with membership in Kyodo News’ wire service also released a statement of protest. The moves clarify the media industry’s firm stance against generative AI companies using articles without permission.

In its protest letter, The Mainichi Newspapers…