Axios: “Eight prominent U.S. newspapers owned by investment giant Alden Global Capital are suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, in a complaint filed Tuesday in the Southern District of New York. Why it matters: On top of a similar case filed by the New York Times against both companies, the new suits add heft to publishers’ claims. Between the lines: Until now, the Times was the only major newspaper to take legal action against AI firms for copyright infringement.

• Many other news publishers, including the Financial Times, the Associated Press and Axel Springer, have instead opted to strike paid deals with AI companies for millions of dollars annually, undermining the Times’ argument that it should be compensated billions of dollars in damages.
• Microsoft declined a request for comment. Axios has also reached out to OpenAI for comment…”