GEMA Secures Crucial Victory Against OpenAI Over ChatGPT Song Lyrics Use
GEMA, a prominent German collecting society, achieved a significant legal victory against OpenAI. On November 11, 2024, a German court ruled that OpenAI’s ChatGPT violated copyright laws by using song lyrics without permission. The decision highlights the ongoing concerns about the use of copyrighted material by artificial intelligence systems.
Key Details of the Court Ruling
The court found that OpenAI should have secured licenses for German song lyrics in GEMA’s catalog before utilizing them to train its ChatGPT model. This ruling marks the first instance where a European court has addressed the copyright implications of generative AI, reinforcing the need for legal compliance in AI development.
- Ruling Date: November 11, 2024
- Involved Parties: GEMA vs. OpenAI
- Significance: First European court ruling on AI copyright issues
Reproductions Constitute Copyright Infringement
The court concluded that ChatGPT creates copies of original works in response to users’ prompts, which constitutes copyright infringement. OpenAI was obligated to obtain licenses to ensure that rights holders receive proper compensation for their work.
Dr. Tobias Holzmüller, GEMA’s CEO, emphasized the importance of protecting creators’ rights: “The internet is not some kind of self-service buffet, and creative achievements by human beings are not simply templates for use free of charge.”
Legal Implications for AI Technology
Dr. Kai Welp, GEMA’s General Counsel, noted that this ruling clarifies vital legal questions regarding technology’s interaction with European copyright laws. It underscores that even large tech companies must adhere to licensing requirements when using intellectual property.
GEMA’s Commitment to Copyright Protection
GEMA had initially filed the lawsuit against OpenAI in November 2023. They claimed the company routinely used copyrighted material without compensating creators, contrasting with other online services that do pay licensing fees. In September 2023, GEMA offered OpenAI a tailored licensing model for AI tool providers but encountered resistance.
Additionally, GEMA has a pending lawsuit against the AI music generator “Suno,” set for a hearing on January 26, 2026. GEMA accuses Suno of using copyrighted material from its catalog without proper licensing.
About GEMA
GEMA represents the copyrights of over 100,000 members in Germany and more than two million rights holders globally. This makes it one of the largest collecting societies for musical works, aiming to ensure that creators receive fair remuneration for their contributions.
