Japan Newspaper Sues Perplexity over Alleged Copyright Violation
In a significant development in the realm of intellectual property rights, Yomiuri Shimbun, a major Japanese newspaper, has filed a lawsuit against Perplexity, a free-riding AI firm, alleging copyright infringement for using its news articles and images without permission. The lawsuit was filed in Tokyo and seeks damages of 2.2 billion yen (approximately $14.7 million) for allegedly “free-riding” on Yomiuri’s content.
According to the lawsuit, Perplexity, a company known for its artificial intelligence-powered content generation capabilities, used Yomiuri news articles and images without permission between February and June 2025. The alleged copyright infringement is said to have affected over 1.2 lakh Yomiuri articles, which were used by Perplexity without obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses from the newspaper.
Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan’s most prominent newspapers, has a long history of reporting on news and current events, and its content is widely respected for its accuracy and reliability. The newspaper is seeking compensation for the alleged copyright infringement, which it claims has caused significant financial losses and damage to its reputation.
The lawsuit is a significant development in the ongoing debate around the use of AI-generated content and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. Perplexity, which has been criticized in the past for its alleged lack of transparency and accountability, has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
The use of AI-generated content has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with many companies and individuals using artificial intelligence to create and disseminate content. However, the lack of regulations and guidelines around the use of AI-generated content has led to concerns about the potential for copyright infringement and the misappropriation of intellectual property.
In this case, Yomiuri Shimbun is seeking to hold Perplexity accountable for its alleged actions, and the lawsuit is seen as a major test case for the use of AI-generated content in the media industry. The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to have significant implications for the future of AI-generated content and the protection of intellectual property rights.
The lawsuit is also seen as a major blow to Perplexity’s reputation, which has already been criticized for its alleged lack of transparency and accountability. The company has been accused of using AI-generated content to generate revenue, without providing adequate context or attribution to the original creators of the content.
In response to the lawsuit, Perplexity has yet to comment on the allegations, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond to the claims made by Yomiuri Shimbun. However, the lawsuit is likely to put pressure on Perplexity to be more transparent and accountable in its use of AI-generated content.
In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by Yomiuri Shimbun against Perplexity is a significant development in the ongoing debate around the use of AI-generated content and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. The lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of AI-generated content, and it is likely to have significant implications for the future of AI-generated content in the media industry.
Source:
https://startupnews.fyi/2025/08/08/major-japan-newspaper-sues-free-riding-ai-firm-perplexity/
