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OpenAI Tag-Along Copyright Lawsuits (MDL)

USA Today has filed a tag-along copyright lawsuit against OpenAI, joining an already-advanced multidistrict litigation now in the summary judgment phase — a case with significant implications for AI training-data copyright law.

Importance: 60%Confidence: 70%Mentions: 1Updated: October 8, 2026Page history (1 revision) →

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## Overview OpenAI has been hit with another tag-along copyright lawsuit, this time filed by USA Today, as the broader OpenAI multidistrict litigation (MDL) over copyright claims has already reached the summary judgment phase (ChatGPT Is Eating The World, October 8). ## Details The USA Today suit is characterized as one of a growing string of "tag-along" suits joining the existing consolidated OpenAI copyright MDL (ChatGPT Is Eating The World, October 8). The underlying MDL litigation is reportedly already at the summary judgment stage, suggesting new plaintiffs are joining an advanced case rather than starting fresh litigation (ChatGPT Is Eating The World, October 8). ## Why It Matters This is part of an ongoing, strategically important legal narrative for AI/IP law: a consolidated litigation framework into which news publishers continue to file suits against OpenAI over training-data copyright claims. The progression to summary judgment makes near-term rulings plausible, which could set precedent affecting the broader AI industry's use of copyrighted content for training. ## Key Entities - **OpenAI** — defendant in consolidated copyright MDL - **USA Today** — latest plaintiff to join the tag-along suits