USA Today Sues OpenAI for Over $250 Million, Alleging Unauthorized Use of Hundreds of Thousands of Articles
USA Today Co. is seeking more than $250 million, alleging OpenAI copied “hundreds of thousands” of articles without permission to train its models. The October 2026 case also names The Tennessean, Indy Star and other local papers.
USA Today Co. filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in October 2026, alleging the company copied “hundreds of thousands” of its articles without permission to train its AI models. The publisher is seeking damages of more than $250 million.
The lawsuit claims OpenAI’s “commercial success rests on large-scale copyright infringement” and that the company never sought permission before using USA Today’s content. Instead, according to the filing, OpenAI “took” the material to “build products worth hundreds of billions of dollars.” USA Today Co. alleges the unauthorized use “has done real and continuing” harm to its outlets.
In addition to USA Today, several local newspapers owned by the company are named in the suit, including The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Oklahoman, among others. The lawsuit was first reported by Reuters.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case adds USA Today Co. to a growing list of publishers taking legal action over the use of their content in AI training. For readers and the broader media industry, the outcome could shape how AI companies are permitted to source and use published journalism going forward.