Britannica and Merriam-Webster File Lawsuit Against Perplexity

Perplexity, an AI-based search engine, is currently facing a lawsuit from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster in a federal court in New York. Filed on September 10, the case accuses the company of copying and misusing content from the publishers' websites.

The complaint alleges that Perplexity's platform has been scraping articles and definitions without permission, presenting them as its own. The publishers also claim that the startup used their brand names misleadingly, creating the impression that results originated from Britannica or Merriam-Webster.

An example cited in the lawsuit involves the word 'plagiarise,' where Perplexity's response reportedly mirrored Merriam-Webster's definition almost verbatim. The publishers argue that such practices could mislead users and damage their reputation.

This lawsuit is the latest in a series of complaints against the AI firm. Earlier this year, Forbes and Condé Nast raised similar concerns, alleging that Perplexity reproduced their journalism without consent.

In another instance, the BBC accused Perplexity of using its content to train AI models. The broadcaster warned of legal action, demanding the company cease using its material, remove any data already incorporated, and propose financial compensation.

While publishers argue their work is being exploited without authorization, AI firms defend the use of such material as part of building their services. Perplexity, which recently introduced a $42.5 million revenue-sharing plan to compensate publishers, now faces mounting legal pressure as questions over copyright, trademarks, and fair use continue to grow.