Microsoft claims Copilot rarely reproduces copyrighted content in legal filing

Microsoft has formally responded to copyright infringement allegations brought by The New York Times and various authors, asserting that its Copilot AI tool rarely reproduces full sentences or substantial portions of protected works. In recent legal filings, the company revealed that out of 8.2 million test queries, instances of the AI outputting verbatim content that could serve as a substitute for original articles or books were extremely rare. Microsoft argues that its generative AI models are designed to synthesize information rather than copy it, challenging the plaintiffs' claims that the technology functions as a tool for copyright infringement. This defense is a critical component of the ongoing litigation, as the company seeks to demonstrate that its AI systems operate within the bounds of fair use. The outcome of this case could set a significant legal precedent for how generative AI models are trained and utilized in relation to intellectual property.