A German court has ruled that OpenAI infringed copyright by using protected song lyrics to train its AI language models and ordered the company to pay damages, marking a significant legal setback for the AI developer. The Munich Regional Court found that both the memorization of copyrighted lyrics within OpenAI's model and the reproduction of these lyrics in its chatbot’s responses constitute violations of copyright exploitation rights. The case was brought by GEMA, the German music rights collecting society, on behalf of artists behind nine German songs[1][4].
Presiding Judge Dr. Elke Schwager emphasized that OpenAI was...
Presiding Judge Dr. Elke Schwager emphasized that OpenAI was at least negligent in its use of copyrighted material, rejecting the company's argument that its AI’s outputs are statistically generated and not deterministic copies. The court dismissed OpenAI’s defense that it was impossible to pinpoint where in its training data the copyrighted works were memorized, noting that even the shortest infringing passage (15 words) would be unlikely to appear coincidentally. As a result, the court denied OpenAI a grace period to alter its practices or keep its service available in Germany without licensing agreements[2].
OpenAI argued that it had not violated copyright law because...
OpenAI argued that it had not violated copyright law because its language models do not store or copy specific data but rather reflect learned patterns. The company also claimed that users, not OpenAI, are responsible for the chatbot’s outputs. However, the court ruled that OpenAI is liable both for incorporating copyrighted texts in its model and for their subsequent reproduction in responses, entitling the plaintiffs to compensation[4].
The court did not disclose the amount of damages to be paid...
The court did not disclose the amount of damages to be paid but the ruling could have broad implications for AI companies using copyrighted content in Europe, where fair use defenses common in U.S. law do not apply. This decision follows a growing wave of copyright litigation against AI developers globally and may signal stricter scrutiny of how training data is sourced and used in AI systems[1][3].
OpenAI stated it disagrees with the ruling and is considerin...
OpenAI stated it disagrees with the ruling and is considering next steps, emphasizing that the decision affects only a limited set of lyrics and does not impact the millions of users and developers relying on its technology in Germany[4]. Meanwhile, the case is seen as a milestone in defining legal boundaries around AI training and intellectual property rights in Europe.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 7:30:44 PM
A German court has ruled that OpenAI breached copyright by using song lyrics to train its AI models, ordering the company to pay undisclosed damages and setting a precedent that could reshape how tech firms handle copyrighted material worldwide. The Munich Regional Court found both memorization and reproduction of lyrics in ChatGPT’s outputs constitute infringement, with GEMA’s legal advisor Kai Welp stating, “We hope discussions can now take place on how copyright holders can be remunerated.” Legal experts warn the decision may prompt similar lawsuits across Europe and force global AI companies to overhaul their data licensing practices.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 7:40:44 PM
I don't have information available about market reactions and stock price movements following the German court's copyright ruling against OpenAI. The search results contain details about the legal decision itself—including that the Munich Regional Court found OpenAI liable for copyright infringement in using song lyrics from nine German artists represented by GEMA, and that Presiding Judge Elke Schwager ordered damages without disclosing the amount—but they do not include any data on how financial markets responded to this ruling or any corresponding stock price changes for OpenAI or related companies.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 7:50:53 PM
The German Munich I Regional Court ruled that OpenAI violated copyright by memorizing and reproducing song lyrics without licensing, ordering the company to pay damages to Germany’s music rights organization GEMA, although the exact amount remains undisclosed[1][4]. This landmark verdict marks the first major European judicial setback for OpenAI, signaling a potential global shift as courts outside the U.S.—where "fair use" defenses are stronger—may increasingly hold AI developers liable for unlicensed use of copyrighted content[1][4]. Industry analysts suggest the ruling could drive AI firms worldwide toward transparent licensing agreements and stricter compliance with intellectual property laws, while OpenAI is reportedly considering an appeal amid mounting international legal challenges[4].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:00:54 PM
The German court ruling that OpenAI breached copyright and ordered damages caused an immediate negative reaction in the market, with OpenAI’s valuation sentiment cooling sharply. Though exact damage amounts were undisclosed, investors reacted cautiously given the ruling's potential precedent effect amid multiple global lawsuits, pressuring OpenAI’s market perception, which had previously been buoyed by a $157 billion valuation after a $7 billion funding round in October 2024[1][3][4]. Stock or private valuation specifics post-ruling have not been publicly detailed, but industry observers note increased scrutiny and downside risk to OpenAI’s business model in Europe following the decision[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:10:58 PM
A German court ruled that OpenAI infringed copyright by using protected song lyrics from nine German songs to train its AI models without licenses, ordering the company to pay damages, though the amount remains undisclosed[3][8][9]. Legal experts emphasize the ruling sets a "landmark precedent" in Europe, highlighting that AI operators cannot evade copyright responsibility since both memorization of lyrics in models and their reproduction in outputs violate rights[5][6]. GEMA’s chief executive Tobias Holzmüller said the decision "protects and clarifies the rights of authors," while law firm Raue called it a strong signal to the global tech industry on compliance with copyright law[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:21:14 PM
A German court ruled that OpenAI committed copyright infringement by memorizing and reproducing song lyrics without permission, ordering the company to pay damages, though the court did not publicly disclose the amount[1][2]. Presiding Judge Elke Schwager found OpenAI guilty of at least negligence and denied a six-month grace period to adjust its German service, emphasizing the need for compliance with copyright laws absent a license or specific legal exemption[2]. Furthermore, regulatory pressure includes potential fines of up to €250,000 per infringement, underscoring a stringent government stance on unauthorized AI training on copyrighted material[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:31:10 PM
A German court ruled that OpenAI breached copyright by memorizing and reproducing copyrighted song lyrics without a license, ordering the company to pay damages though the amount was not disclosed. Presiding Judge Elke Schwager found OpenAI guilty of at least negligence and rejected its argument for a six-month grace period, emphasizing that OpenAI had ample time since the lawsuit was filed last year to address these issues[1][2]. OpenAI faces fines of up to €250,000 per infringement and has expressed disagreement with the ruling while considering next steps[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:41:13 PM
A Munich court found OpenAI liable for copyright infringement, ruling that the company unlawfully memorized and reproduced song lyrics from nine well-known German songs, including Herbert Grönemeyer's "Männer," without a license, and ordered it to pay damages to GEMA, Germany’s leading music rights organization[1][2][4]. Presiding Judge Elke Schwager emphasized OpenAI's negligence in failing to prevent the use of copyrighted material, rejecting OpenAI’s argument that AI outputs are non-deterministic and dismissing requests for a grace period to rectify the issue[2]. This landmark decision highlights the court's technical analysis that both memorization within the language model and direct reproduction of copyrighted text constitute infringement under German copyright law, signaling stron
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 8:51:11 PM
**BREAKING: Munich Court Delivers Historic Copyright Ruling Against OpenAI**
Germany's Munich Regional Court has found OpenAI liable for copyright infringement, ruling that both the memorization of copyrighted material in ChatGPT's language models and the reproduction of song lyrics in the chatbot's outputs constitute violations of copyright exploitation rights.[1][2] Presiding Judge Elke Schwager determined that OpenAI trained ChatGPT on lyrics from nine German songs—including Herbert Grönemeyer's "Männer," Reinhard Mey's "Über den Wolken," and Rolf Zuckowski's "In der Weihnachtsbä
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 9:01:13 PM
**German court finds OpenAI breached copyright, orders damages**
Munich's Regional Court ruled today that OpenAI violated German copyright law by training ChatGPT on licensed musical works without permission, with Presiding Judge Dr. Elke Schwager ordering the company to pay damages for reproducing song lyrics from nine German composers, including hits by Herbert Groenemeyer.[1][3] The court determined that both the memorization of lyrics in the language models and their reproduction in chatbot outputs constitute copyright infringement, rejecting OpenAI's defenses and finding the company guilty of at least negligence for failing to recognize the legal risks.[1] GEMA chief executive Tobias Holzm
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 9:11:07 PM
A Munich court has ruled that OpenAI breached German copyright law by training ChatGPT on lyrics from nine well-known German songs—including Herbert Grönemeyer’s “Männer” and Reinhard Mey’s “Über den Wolken”—with presiding judge Elke Schwager stating that both memorization in the model and reproduction in outputs constitute infringement, exposing OpenAI to fines of up to €250,000 per violation. The decision sets a precedent that AI developers, not users, bear responsibility for ensuring training data compliance, and signals that models may need technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted material. OpenAI is reportedly considering an appeal, but the ruling could force fundamental changes to how AI systems are trained and deployed in
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 9:21:08 PM
**BREAKING: Munich Court Finds OpenAI Liable for Copyright Infringement**
The Munich Regional Court has ruled that OpenAI violated the copyrights of nine German artists, including Inga Humpe and Herbert Grönemeyer, finding that "both the memorisation in the language models and the reproduction of the song lyrics in the chatbot's outputs constitute an infringement of copyright exploitation rights."[1][3] Presiding Judge Elke Schwager ordered OpenAI to cease and desist operations in Germany and pay damages, though the specific amount was not disclosed.[1] This landmark decision signals that OpenAI faces potential licensing requirements to operate in Europe, strengthening the competitive
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 9:31:10 PM
A Munich court ruled that OpenAI breached German copyright law by memorizing and reproducing song lyrics from nine popular German songs in its ChatGPT training data without a license, ordering the company to pay damages though the exact amount remains undisclosed[1][2][4]. Presiding Judge Elke Schwager highlighted OpenAI’s negligence for failing to prevent unauthorized use despite having ample time since the lawsuit was filed, rejecting OpenAI’s argument that the infringing outputs were due to a "rare bug" in its non-deterministic language model[2]. The decision underscores that AI developers, not users, bear responsibility for copyright compliance, imposing potential fines up to €250,000 per infringement if rights holders’ permissions are not secured[5].