# USA Today sues OpenAI for alleged copyright infringement

> USA Today and its local papers are seeking more than $250 million in damages, accusing OpenAI of using their articles without permission.

Oossa · 2026-10-08 · https://oossa.com/en/usa-today-sues-openai-for-alleged-copyright-infringement

On October 8, 2026 USA Today Co. filed a lawsuit against OpenAI. The publisher says the AI company copied “hundreds of thousands” of its articles to train its models. The complaint asks a court to award more than $250 million in damages. Several local newspapers owned by USA Today, including The Tennessean, Indy Star and The Oklahoman, are listed as co‑plaintiffs.

## What the lawsuit claims

According to the filing, OpenAI never asked for permission to use the content. The publisher argues that OpenAI’s commercial products are built on that unlicensed material, which it says “has done real and continuing harm” to its outlets. The suit accuses OpenAI of profiting from the articles while the news organizations receive no compensation.

## The facts

- USA Today Co. filed the lawsuit on October 8, 2026.
- The complaint seeks more than $250 million in damages.
- The publisher alleges OpenAI used “hundreds of thousands” of its articles without permission.
- Local papers named in the suit include The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch and The Oklahoman.

## Why it matters

If the court sides with USA Today, OpenAI may have to pay a large sum and could be forced to change how it gathers training data. That could affect how quickly new AI features reach everyday users, and it may lead to more restrictions on the content AI systems can learn from.

## Sources & references

1. [USA Today becomes the latest publisher to sue OpenAI](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1008198/usa-today-openai-copyright-lawsuit) – The Verge, 2026-10-08

Last updated: 2026-10-08