3 Count: Grumpiest Cat

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1: Publisher Ziff Davis Sues OpenAI for Copyright Infringement

First off today, Blake Brittain at Reuters reports that digital publisher Ziff Davis has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that the company infringed on their work when training their various AI systems.

Ziff Davis owns a variety of tech-oriented publications including ZDNet, CNET, and IGN. According to the lawsuit, OpenAI used content from those sites to train their AI systems, most notably ChatGPT.

The lawsuit is the latest in a long line of cases filed against OpenAI and other AI companies. However, OpenAI has long held that such training is fair use and protected under the law.

2: Warner Bros. Wins Dismissal of ‘Superman’ Foreign Copyright Suit

Next up today, Gene Maddaus at Variety reports that a judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging ownership of the Superman character in 10 countries.

Mark Perry, the nephew of late Superman creator Joe Shuster filed the lawsuit in January. He alleged that he had the right to terminate Superman copyright agreements in 10 countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada.

However, the judge ruled that a federal court does not have jurisdiction over this matter. As such, the judge dismissed the case. Peary has already filed a nearly identical lawsuit in New York state court, hoping to interfere with the July 11 release of a new Superman film.

3: Sydney Woman Who Sold a Cartoon Cat T-Shirt Told to Pay US$100,000 in Grumpy Cat Copyright Case

Finally today, Josh Taylor at The Guardian reports that an Australian woman, Alda Curtis, had $600 disappear from her PayPal account following a default judgment against her in the United States.

Curtis had previously created a Redbubble store and was selling t-shirts featuring Grumpy Cat, a meme that was most popular from 2012-2014. However, according to Grumpy Cat Ltd, the shirts violated their copyrights and trademarks, prompting them to file a lawsuit against Curtis. Curtis did not participate in the case and Grumpy Cat Ltd. was awarded $100,000 in damages.

According to Curtis, she first became aware of the judgment when the money disappeared from her PayPal account. She is now fighting to have the judgment vacated. The company is well known for filing large numbers of lawsuits and is reported to have more than 50 such cases going on right now.

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