Nearly two years after filing a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, The New York Times has entered into a landmark agreement to license its editorial content to Amazon. The deal will allow Amazon to use Times content to train its artificial intelligence platforms and enhance customer experiences across its ecosystem.
Expanding AI Training with Trusted Journalism
According to a statement from The New York Times, the agreement will make a wide range of its editorial content available to Amazon. This includes news articles, features from NYT Cooking, and sports coverage from The Athletic. The content may be integrated into Amazon's products, such as Alexa-enabled smart speakers, providing users with richer, more informative interactions.
"Whenever it makes sense within the consumer experience on Amazon’s products, they will provide direct links to Times products, where readers can get the full Times experience," said Danielle Rhoades Ha, a spokesperson for The New York Times, in a statement to TechCrunch.
A First for Amazon and The Times
While Amazon has not previously entered into such licensing agreements, other AI companies like OpenAI have already partnered with major publishers, including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Guardian, NewsCorp, and Axel Springer. This deal marks The Times' first generative AI-focused licensing arrangement, following its accusations that OpenAI and Microsoft used millions of its articles without consent or compensation.
"We have a long-standing approach to ensure that our work is valued appropriately, whether through commercial deals or through the enforcement of our intellectual property rights," the Times spokesperson added.
Industry Context and Ongoing Disputes
Both OpenAI and Microsoft have denied any wrongdoing regarding the use of copyrighted material for AI training. The financial terms of the Amazon-Times deal were not disclosed.
This agreement signals a shift in how major publishers and technology companies collaborate as generative AI becomes increasingly central to digital experiences. It also highlights the growing importance of securing intellectual property rights in the age of AI.
