Danish Publishers Strike Legal Showdown with OpenAI Over Failed Rights Deal

Denmark Takes the Helm: New EU Chairmanship Spotlight

Denmark has begun its tenure as chair of the European Union’s member‑state meetings. This fresh leadership role is shaping the direction of collective efforts among EU nations.

Key Focus Areas under Denmark’s Chairmanship

• Cross‑border Cooperation: Strengthening partnerships on infrastructure and sustainability projects.
• Policy Harmonization: Aligning regulatory frameworks to foster smoother trade within the bloc.
• Climate Goals: Driving initiatives that advance the EU’s net‑zero commitments.

Implications for the EU Community

With Denmark at the table, member states are expected to experience:

• A renewed sense of unity through collaborative decision‑making.
• More transparent dialogue on pressing regional issues.
• Enhanced focus on innovation and digital transformation initiatives.

Future Outlook

As Denmark steers the EU’s agenda, it sets the stage for a more cohesive, forward‑looking partnership among 27 countries, aiming to realize shared objectives that benefit the entire European community.

Danish Media Collective Fights Tech Giant Over Content Use

Group poised for lawsuit against OpenAI

The Danish Press Publications’ Collective Management Organization (DPCMO), representing nearly the entire country’s media‑domestic broadcasters and newspapers, announced that it will pursue legal action against OpenAI. The French productivity giant has been accused of incorporating the collective’s licensed content into its ChatGPT training models without following the stipulated conditions.

Core Allegations

• Unauthorized use of licensed repertoire. OpenAI reportedly fed DPCMO’s copyrighted materials into its language‑model training data.
• Violation of terms and conditions. The conglomerate claims OpenAI ignored the “reservations” embedded in its website’s usage agreements.
• Failed negotiation attempts. When DPCMO reached out to OpenAI early on to understand how the platform was leveraging its data, the tech company declined to prioritize Danish media concerns.
• Government engagement ineffective. Efforts by Denmark’s Minister for Culture to mediate the dispute did not lead to a resolution.

OpenAI’s Position

In response to statements released to media outlets, an OpenAI spokesperson defended the company’s actions. They indicated that while they had engaged with DPCMO in discussions, they do not use the collective’s content in search results or training datasets. The spokesperson also admitted awareness of “ongoing legal proceedings” but expressed confidence in OpenAI’s compliance stance.

Prior Collaborations and Agreements

OpenAI has a track record of securing individual deals with publishers, including the Guardian in the United Kingdom and France’s Le Monde. In June 2024, the chatbot company agreed to remove the press materials of DPCMO’s members from its training corpus, a step the media collective considers insufficient for protecting Danish rights.

Implications for Native Media

This controversy underscores the tension between “big tech” platforms and national media groups over intellectual property and data usage. The Danish collective’s suit is seen by many as an advocacy for stricter enforcement of local laws within global AI initiatives.

Conclusion

As the lawsuit moves forward, the legal and technological landscapes in Denmark will continue to scrutinize how AI models integrate copyrighted material. The outcome could set a precedent for media rights protection in other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.

Code of practise

Denmark Opens Legal Challenge as EU Prepares AI Ethics Guidelines

Background of the Court Filing

On Tuesday, Denmark began its role as chair for the EU ministers’ meeting, just as a legal action was lodged in the City Court of Copenhagen concerning the EU’s forthcoming General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice.

What the GPAI Code Aims to Achieve

• Voluntary framework designed to help AI model providers—including ChatGPT and Gemini—meet the obligations of the EU’s AI Act.
• Set to be finalized earlier in May, the draft has experienced a delay, pushing the expected release to later in the year.
• Specified guidance covers algorithm transparency, data verification, and user safety measures for general‑purpose AI systems.

Criticism from Industry and Rights Holders

The draft’s delay and content have prompted sharp criticism across multiple sectors:

• Tech giants argue that the guidelines lack sufficient clarity to enforce responsible development.
• Publishers and copyright advocates fear that the Code may conflict with existing EU copyright regulations, putting creative works at risk.
• Legal experts point out that the use of copyrighted material by AI tools could undermine the protection offered by the EU’s intellectual-property regime.

Global Debate Over AI and Creative Content

Beyond Europe, the debate has extended worldwide. In 2023, Hollywood writers joined forces to protect narrative texts from exploitation by large language models like ChatGPT. This collective action underscored the broader concerns about how AI systems process and replicate creative content.

Implications for Drafts and Legal Proceedings

The legal action in Copenhagen represents a pivot toward ensuring that AI’s rapid expansion aligns with both technological innovation and stringent rights-based safeguards. As EU ministers convene, the forthcoming Code will play a pivotal role in shaping the regulatory landscape for AI worldwide.