Thomson Reuters Scores Early Win in AI Copyright Battles in the US

In a significant victory for copyright holders, Thomson Reuters has won the first major AI copyright case in the United States. The media and technology conglomerate filed an unprecedented AI copyright lawsuit against the legal AI startup Ross Intelligence in 2020, alleging that the AI firm reproduced materials from its legal research firm Westlaw. On February 13, 2025, a judge ruled in Thomson Reuters' favor, finding that the company's copyright was indeed infringed by Ross Intelligence's actions.

The ruling, made by US District Court of Delaware judge Stephanos Bibas, is a blow to AI companies that have been using copyrighted material without permission. The case centered around the fair use doctrine, which allows for the use of copyrighted works without permission in certain circumstances. However, Judge Bibas ruled in favor of Thomson Reuters on the question of fair use, stating that Ross Intelligence's use of copyrighted material was not transformative and did not fall under the fair use exception.



The ruling has significant implications for the AI industry, as many AI tools have been developed by training on copyrighted works, including books, films, visual artwork, and websites. The generative AI boom has led to a spate of legal fights about how AI companies can use copyrighted material, with several dozen lawsuits currently winding through the US court system, as well as international challenges in China, Canada, the UK, and other countries.



Thomson Reuters' victory may impact how current lawsuits proceed, as AI companies may need to reevaluate their strategies for using copyrighted material. Some AI companies may choose to obtain licenses from copyright holders to use their content legally, while others may explore alternative data sources or focus on non-copyrighted data. Additionally, AI companies may need to strengthen their fair use arguments or consider alternative legal strategies, such as negotiating licensing agreements or lobbying for changes in copyright law.

In response to the ruling, Thomson Reuters spokesperson Jeffrey McCoy stated, "We are pleased that the court granted summary judgment in our favor and concluded that Westlaw's editorial content created and maintained by our attorney editors, is protected by copyright and cannot be used without our consent. The copying of our content was not 'fair use.'"

The ruling is a setback for AI companies, but it is not the end of the road for AI and copyright battles. As the technology continues to evolve, so too will the legal landscape surrounding AI and copyright. AI companies will need to adapt their strategies to comply with copyright laws and explore alternative approaches to using copyrighted material.

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