Mumsnet sues OpenAI for scraping its content

UK-based parenting forum Mumsnet initiated legal action against OpenAI, alleging that the company scraped over six billion words of content from its site without permission. The lawsuit marks the first such legal challenge against OpenAI in the UK and includes claims of copyright infringement, breach of terms of use, and database right infringement. Mumsnet's founder, Justine Roberts, said that OpenAI's actions violated the website's terms, which explicitly prohibit unauthorised scraping. Roberts highlighted that Mumsnet's unique content could help address gender biases in AI models but criticised OpenAI for not pursuing a licensing agreement after discussions broke down. She also emphasised the potential harm to online publishers if AI companies continue to scrape content without compensation, stating that it could lead to the erosion of unique voices in digital spaces. The legal complaint demands that OpenAI delete any data it has collected from Mumsnet and cease further usage. Mumsnet argues that unlike search engines like Google, which provide a value exchange through traffic, AI models like ChatGPT could replace original content with generated responses, undermining the original publishers. System 🤖 ChatGPT D eveloper: OpenAI Country: UK Sector: Media/entertainment/sports/arts Purpose: Generate text Technology: Generative AI Issue: Accountability; Appropriation; Consent; Power inbalance; Transparency Legal, regulatory 👩🏼‍⚖️ Mumsnet. Why we're taking legal action against Open AI and other scrapers

Date it happened

2024-07-01

Organisation involved

OpenAI

Product, system or model

ChatGPT

This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.