Blog · September 7, 2026
Seattle Times and Newsday Sue OpenAI and Microsoft for Copyright Infringement
Seattle Times and Newsday have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unauthorized use of their journalism as training data for AI models.
Legal Battle Over AI Training Data
On 6 September 2026, The Verge reported that the Seattle Times and Newsday have initiated legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft. The lawsuit claims that these companies used the newspapers' journalism without permission to train their AI models, potentially infringing on copyright laws (source). This development is part of a broader conversation about the legal and ethical implications of using copyrighted content to train artificial intelligence.
Implications for Travel and Hospitality Brands
For marketing leaders in the travel and hospitality sectors, this case underscores the importance of understanding how AI models are trained and the potential legal risks involved. If AI engines like ChatGPT or Bing Copilot are using unauthorized content from travel brands, it could impact how these brands are represented in AI-generated answers. Ensuring that your content is legally protected and appropriately attributed is crucial.
What Travel Brands Can Do
To mitigate risks and improve AI visibility, travel brands should:
- Audit Your Content: Regularly check if your content is being used by AI engines without permission. Engage with legal teams to explore protective measures.
- Enhance Citation Rates: Work on strategies to increase your citation rates in AI-generated content. This can involve optimizing your content for AI engines and ensuring it is easily discoverable and authoritative.
- Stay Informed: Keep abreast of ongoing legal cases and developments in AI technology to understand how they might affect your brand.
See how AI answers travel questions about you at geotravel.ai.