Microsoft, OpenAI and GitHub Move to Dismiss AI Copyright Lawsuit Over Code Training

Microsoft, OpenAI and GitHub Move to Dismiss AI Copyright Lawsuit Over Code Training

By Marcus Hartley

January 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM

Microsoft, along with its subsidiaries GitHub and OpenAI, has filed a motion to dismiss a proposed class-action lawsuit concerning AI copyright infringement of open-source code. The case centers around GitHub's Copilot system, which provides code suggestions to programmers.

GitHub homepage with Microsoft OpenAI logos

GitHub homepage with Microsoft OpenAI logos

Key Points:

  • The companies argue that the complaint lacks specific allegations and evidence of injuries suffered
  • GitHub maintains that Copilot's development has been responsibly innovative from the start
  • The lawsuit, filed in November by anonymous copyright owners, alleges violation of open-source licensing terms
  • Plaintiffs claim Copilot aims to replace open-source code by placing it behind a paywall
  • Microsoft argues their use falls under fair use doctrine, citing the 2021 Supreme Court decision in Google v. Oracle

GitHub's Position: The platform has stated they are "committed to innovating responsibly with Copilot from the start" and views the dismissal motion as validation of their development approach.

Legal Context: The companies reference the Supreme Court's ruling that Google's use of Oracle source code was considered transformative fair use, suggesting a similar principle applies to their AI training practices.

The case (4:22-cv-068234:22-cv-07074) is currently pending in San Francisco federal court, with Microsoft asserting that the plaintiffs must provide more precise outlines of their allegations for the case to proceed.

YouTube logo with Los Angeles text

YouTube logo with Los Angeles text

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