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The dispute over artificial intelligence and third-party content is entering its next major chapter. This time, the focus isn’t on some small provider, but on Encyclopaedia Britannica—a name synonymous with reliable knowledge. Together with Merriam-Webster, the company is accusing OpenAI of using copyrighted content without permission to train ChatGPT. The online portal Heise is reporting on the case.
According to the plaintiffs, the case involves nearly 100,000 articles, encyclopedia entries, and dictionary entries. The allegation is therefore not minor, but quite serious. Britannica claims that OpenAI used this content so that ChatGPT could provide answers that are, in some cases, very close to the originals. And that is precisely where the problem begins. Because when people receive an answer directly from the AI, they often no longer click on the actual source.
Why this debate is more than just a technical issue
At first glance, this seems like a typical case from the digital world. But upon closer inspection, it raises a fundamental issue: Those who create high-quality information invest money, time, and expertise. When an AI collects this work, repackages it, and uses it to gain its own reach, the question arises as to whether that is still fair.
Britannica says clearly: no. From the company’s perspective, ChatGPT replaces content that others have worked hard to create. And in the end, that could cost them not only readers but also revenue. For providers that rely on the trust of their users, this is a sensitive issue.
Particularly sensitive: the allegations regarding false attributions
The matter becomes even more contentious due to another point in the lawsuit. Britannica accuses OpenAI of having ChatGPT generate content that is sometimes incorrect, incomplete, or simply fabricated—and then linking this content to Britannica or Merriam-Webster. For a company that relies on credibility, this is a serious problem.
After all, it’s easy to make a mistake online. But when it happens under a well-known brand, it can cause real damage. That’s exactly why this isn’t just about content—it’s also about trust.
A precedent with implications far beyond this case
Britannica is not alone in filing this lawsuit. Other media companies and publishers are also taking legal action against AI firms. At the same time, licensing agreements are already in place with publishers who make their content available for a fee. This makes it quite clear what is at stake: rules, money, and the question of who actually benefits from digital content in the age of AI.
This case could therefore turn out to be significant—not just for OpenAI, but for the entire industry.
All in all, much of this AI boom still seems surprisingly convenient: taking other people’s content, building a new product out of it, and only then talking about fairness. That, precisely, could turn out to be this industry’s biggest mistake.
Sources: heise.de
