Japanese Media Firms Sue Perplexity AI Over Copyright

Published Date : 27/08/2025 

Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun have filed a lawsuit against AI search engine Perplexity, alleging copyright infringement and the unauthorized use of their content. 

Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun, two prominent Japanese media companies, have filed a lawsuit against the artificial intelligence (AI) search engine Perplexity, accusing the company of copyright infringement. According to a report by the Financial Times, the companies claim that Perplexity has been copying and storing their article content without permission, which they say severely damages their credibility and undermines the foundation of journalism.

The media giants are seeking damages of 2.2 billion yen (approximately $15 million) and are demanding that Perplexity delete the stored articles from their servers. They argue that Perplexity's actions amount to large-scale, ongoing 'free riding' on the content produced by their journalists, who have invested significant time and effort into researching and writing these articles. “If left unchecked, this situation could undermine the foundation of journalism, which is committed to conveying facts accurately,” the companies stated in the report.

Perplexity has responded to the lawsuit by declining to comment, stating that they have not seen the claims in the litigation and characterizing it as a 'misunderstanding.' However, the company recently launched a subscription service called Comet Plus, designed to help fund a revenue-sharing program that compensates publishers when their material is used by the Comet browser or AI assistant. “Comet Plus transforms how publishers are compensated in the AI age,” Perplexity said in a blog post. “As users demand a better internet in the age of AI, it’s time for a business model to ensure that publishers and journalists benefit from their contributions to a better internet.”

This is not the first time Perplexity has faced legal challenges over copyright infringement. Last year, the company was sued by News Corp, the owner of the New York Post and Dow Jones, over similar allegations. In June, the BBC also threatened legal action against Perplexity, claiming that the company’s responses contained incorrect information, offering inaccuracies or missing context 17% of the time. Perplexity responded by calling the BBC’s claims 'manipulative and opportunistic.'

The growing number of lawsuits against AI firms by news publishers highlights the ongoing tension between the tech industry and media companies over the use of copyrighted content. As AI continues to advance and integrate into various aspects of daily life, the legal and ethical implications of using copyrighted material without proper compensation remain a significant concern for media organizations and content creators alike. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the main allegations against Perplexity AI?

A: Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun accuse Perplexity of copying and storing their article content without permission, providing inaccurate information, and damaging their credibility.

Q: How much in damages are the Japanese media companies seeking?

A: The companies are seeking damages of 2.2 billion yen (approximately $15 million).

Q: What is Comet Plus, and how does it relate to the lawsuit?

A: Comet Plus is a subscription service launched by Perplexity to fund a revenue-sharing program that compensates publishers when their material is used by the Comet browser or AI assistant.

Q: Has Perplexity faced similar lawsuits before?

A: Yes, Perplexity has faced legal challenges from News Corp and the BBC over similar allegations of copyright infringement.

Q: What is the broader context of these lawsuits against AI firms?

A: These lawsuits highlight the ongoing tension between the tech industry and media companies over the use of copyrighted content without proper compensation. 

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