USA Today's Parent Company Sues OpenAI for Copyright Infringement, Seeking Over $250 Million
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On October 9, 2026, The Verge reported that USA Today's parent company, USA Today Co., along with several of its local newspapers, sued OpenAI for copyright infringement. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI copied hundreds of thousands of articles without authorization to train AI models, never sought permission, and built products worth hundreds of billions of dollars on their content; the plaintiffs are seeking over $250 million in damages. Besides USA Today, local outlets including The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Oklahoman are among the plaintiffs. As of the report, OpenAI had not responded to requests for comment. The case is in its early stages, OpenAI has made no public response, and further developments remain to be seen.
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- The Verge · AIUSA Today becomes the latest publisher to sue OpenAI
USA Today Co., together with several of its local newspapers, is suing OpenAI, accusing it of copying hundreds of thousands of articles without authorization to train AI models and seeking more than $250 million in damages. The suit says OpenAI never sought permission and built products worth hundreds of billions of dollars from its content; local outlets including The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch and The Oklahoman are also plaintiffs. OpenAI has not responded to a request for comment.