"Large language models like ChatGPT, which use song lyrics in their responses without having paid license fees for them, infringe on German authors' rights laws, a Munich court ruled on Tuesday. Judge Elke Schwager at the Munich District Court I said that OpenAI, the US company that owns ChatGPT, would be charged damages for the unauthorized usage. She did not specify a sum."
"The German association GEMA that seeks to defend authors' rights brought the lawsuit. Authors' rights law (or Urheberrecht in German) is separate from and not to be confused with the more commonly understood Anglo-American copyright law. It places more emphasis on the individual artist or author and considers the rights non-transferable, rather than the property of the owner of the content (like a publisher or record label)."
A Munich court found that large language models that reproduce song lyrics without paid licenses infringe German authors' rights, and ordered OpenAI to be charged damages, with the sum unspecified. GEMA brought the lawsuit, supported by a journalists' trade union, using nine specific songs as examples. Authors' rights law (Urheberrecht) emphasizes individual creators and treats rights as non-transferable, distinct from Anglo‑American copyright. GEMA's lawyer said the ruling could have broad European impact because rules are harmonized and anticipated licensing negotiations with companies like OpenAI. OpenAI said it disagrees with the decision, respects intellectual property, and is considering next steps.
Read at www.dw.com
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