Intellectual property rights

Canada to charge Google for news law enforcement

Canada’s telecommunications regulator, the CRTC, announced on Wednesday that it will impose a fee on Google to cover the costs of enforcing the Online News Act, which requires large tech platforms to pay for news content shared on their sites. The levy, which will be implemented from April 1, will vary each year and has no upper limit. This move comes amid rising tensions between Canada and the US over issues like trade and a digital services tax on American tech firms.

The CRTC stated that most of its operations are funded by fees from the companies it regulates, and the new charge aims to recover costs related to the law. Google, which had previously raised concerns about the fairness of such a rule, had argued that it was unreasonable to impose 100% of the costs on one company. Despite this, Google has agreed to pay C$100 million annually to Canadian publishers in a deal that ensures its search results continue to feature news content.

The law, which is part of a global trend to make internet giants pay for news, was introduced last year in response to concerns that tech firms were crowding out news businesses in the online advertising market. While both Google and Meta were identified as major platforms required to make payments, Meta chose to block news from its platforms in Canada instead. Google, however, has continued to negotiate with the Canadian government, although it has yet to comment further on the CRTC’s decision.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Meta faces lawsuit over hiring practices

A US judge ruled that Meta must face a lawsuit alleging it prioritises hiring foreign workers to pay them lower wages. The proposed class action involves three US citizens who claim they were repeatedly rejected despite being qualified for roles at the company.

The plaintiffs argue that Meta systematically favours visa holders, citing statistics showing a significant portion of its US workforce holds H-1B visas. The company denies the claims, stating there is no evidence of intentional discrimination or that the plaintiffs would have been hired otherwise.

A 2021 settlement saw Meta agree to pay up to $14.25 million over similar government allegations. The latest ruling follows a 2023 appeals court decision, which cited a Civil War-era law protecting US citizens from discrimination in contracts.

Plaintiffs hope the lawsuit will expose widespread hiring biases in the tech sector. Their legal team suggests further enforcement or legislative action may be necessary to address the issue.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Google faces lawsuit over AI search impact on publishers

An online education company has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming its AI-generated search overviews are damaging digital publishing.

Chegg alleges the technology reduces demand for original content by keeping users on Google’s platform, ultimately eroding financial incentives for publishers. The company warns this could lead to a weaker online information ecosystem.

Chegg, which provides textbook rentals and homework help, says Google’s AI features have contributed to a drop in traffic and subscribers.

As a result, the company is considering a sale or a move to go private. Chegg’s CEO Nathan Schultz argues Google is profiting from the company’s content without proper compensation, threatening the future of quality educational resources.

A Google spokesperson rejected the claims, insisting AI overviews enhance search and create more opportunities for content discovery. The company maintains that search traffic remains strong, with billions of clicks sent to websites daily.

However, Chegg argues that Google’s dominance in online search allows it to pressure publishers into providing data for AI summaries, leading to fewer visitors to original sites.

The lawsuit marks the first time an individual company has accused Google of antitrust violations over AI-generated search features. A similar case was previously filed on behalf of the news industry. A US judge overseeing another case involving Google’s search monopoly is handling this lawsuit as well.

Google intends to challenge the claims and is appealing a previous ruling that found it held an illegal monopoly in online search.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Silent album released to challenge UK AI copyright reforms

More than 1,000 musicians have joined forces to release a silent album as part of a protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright laws. The changes would allow AI companies to use artists’ work to train models without needing permission, a move critics argue would undermine creators’ rights. The silent album, titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, features empty studios and performance spaces, symbolising the potential loss of control over their work.

The changes have sparked outrage from high-profile artists such as Kate Bush, who warned that this could lead to the exploitation of musicians by tech companies. The protest album, which includes contributions from other major artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, aims to highlight the negative impact of such reforms on the livelihoods of creators.

The UK government argues that these changes will help boost the AI and creative industries, allowing them to reach their full potential. However, the controversy over copyright law is growing, with many in the music industry urging a rethink before any new regulations are finalised.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

iPhone 16e launches as Apple’s $599 budget option

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e, a budget-friendly smartphone priced at $599, aimed at mid-market customers in key regions such as China and India.

The launch marks Apple’s attempt to revitalise declining sales and better compete with Android rivals like Samsung and Huawei, which are also adding artificial intelligence tools to their devices.

Designed as a successor to the SE series, the iPhone 16e incorporates features closer to flagship models, including the A18 chip for AI functions powered by Apple Intelligence.

Though missing a wide-angle lens and a camera control button, the 16e sports a 48-megapixel dual-camera system, a 6.1-inch display, and Apple’s Face ID. It also introduces the C1 chip, the company’s first in-house modem for cellular connectivity.

The iPhone 16e, available only in black and white, costs $200 less than the base iPhone 16. Analysts believe it will appeal to cost-sensitive markets where upfront payments are common. Pre-orders open on February 21 across 59 countries, with shipping set to begin on 28 February.

Apple forecasts stronger sales growth as it integrates AI features into more regions, although adoption has been slow. The 16e may provide a cost-effective entry point for customers seeking Apple’s latest technology without the premium price.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Juventus gains backing from Tether

Tether, the cryptocurrency firm behind one of the world’s leading stablecoins, has invested in Juventus, Italy’s most popular football club. Holding a 5% stake valued at approximately €50 million, Tether revealed it has acquired shares gradually over recent months.

CEO Paolo Ardoino, a Juventus supporter, highlighted the firm’s desire to explore collaborative opportunities while remaining a minority investor.

Tether has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Juventus’ management and owners, aiming to enhance the club’s brand globally. Potential collaboration may include utilising Tether’s payment platform and vast user base of 400 million, particularly in emerging markets.

Ardoino noted that football clubs must adopt forward-looking strategies to connect with fans using innovative technologies.

Juventus, controlled by the Agnelli family through investment company Exor, has faced financial challenges recently, including losses nearing €200 million in the last fiscal year. Exor has denied any plans to sell its majority stake, which currently stands at 64%.

Ardoino emphasised that Tether’s goal is supportive rather than aggressive, focusing on unlocking the club’s untapped potential.

Tether remains a dominant player in the stablecoin market, with over $140 billion tokens in circulation. Despite regulatory concerns about stablecoins’ risks to financial systems, Tether’s profitability exceeded $13 billion in 2024, providing ample resources for strategic investments like its stake in Juventus.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

DeepSeek’s success drives Baidu’s plan to open-source Ernie 4.5

Baidu has announced plans to open-source its upcoming Ernie 4.5 chatbot series, citing inspiration from the success of AI firm DeepSeek. The move is aimed at encouraging greater adoption of its technology by making it more accessible.

Baidu also plans to provide premium chatbot services free of charge starting in April, with the open-source launch scheduled for June.

DeepSeek’s open-source approach, combined with its innovative R1 model, has gained widespread attention and increased adoption of foundational AI tools. Baidu CEO Robin Li highlighted the significance of this strategy in shaping the company’s decision.

He expressed confidence in the technology behind Ernie 4.5, which Baidu claims will be its most advanced model to date.

Despite advancements in AI, Baidu’s Q4 2024 results revealed a 2% revenue decline to 34.12 billion yuan, slightly ahead of expectations. Growth in the Cloud AI sector, up 26% year-on-year, partly offset a 7% drop in its online marketing business.

Weakness in China’s economy, particularly the property market, has contributed to reduced advertising demand.

Baidu handled 1.65 billion daily interactions on its Ernie platform in December, up from 600 million in August. However, its US-listed shares dropped 7% in early trading after the results.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

New Fiverr AI model offers creative control to freelancers

Freelance marketplace Fiverr is rolling out new AI tools designed to help gig workers streamline their work and maintain competitiveness. The ‘Personal AI Creation Model’ allows freelancers to train AI systems on their own work, offering clients either automated or blended content.

Freelancers retain ownership of the generated content and can set prices for its use, with the service costing $25 per month.

The tools aim to address challenges in the gig economy, where generative AI has increased competition while reducing opportunities. Fiverr highlights that the AI creation model prioritises freelancers’ control, ensuring their data is not misused.

Additionally, a ‘Personal AI Assistant’ is available to help with routine tasks and client communication, priced at $29 per month or included with Fiverr’s premium subscription.

Fiverr is also introducing a programme granting company shares to its top-performing freelancers. While the specifics remain undisclosed, the initiative reflects efforts to support gig workers in an increasingly competitive market.

As generative AI reshapes industries, Fiverr’s initiatives could help freelancers navigate the evolving landscape while enhancing their earning potential and safeguarding their creative work.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI copyright case could set legal precedent

A US federal judge has ruled that Ross Intelligence infringed on Thomson Reuters’ copyright by using its legal research content to train an AI platform. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over AI and intellectual property, as over 39 similar lawsuits progress through US courts.

Ross had argued that its use of Reuters’ Westlaw headnotes, summaries of legal decisions, was transformative, meaning it repurposed the material for a different function. However, the judge rejected this defence, ruling that Ross merely repackaged the content without adding significant new value. The company’s commercial intent also played a role in the ruling, as its AI system directly competed with Reuters’ legal research services.

The ruling could impact future AI copyright cases, particularly those involving generative AI models trained on publicly available content. While some believe it strengthens the case for content creators, others argue its scope is limited. Legal experts caution that further court decisions will be needed to define how copyright law applies to AI training in the long term.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Indian music industry joins lawsuit against OpenAI

Several of India’s leading Bollywood music labels, including T-Series, Saregama, and Sony, seek to join a lawsuit against OpenAI in New Delhi. They are concerned that the company’s AI models may have used their sound recordings without permission, potentially violating copyright laws. The legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, which accused OpenAI’s ChatGPT of using content without authorisation to train its models. The music labels argue that this issue has significant implications for the global music industry.

The music companies, which represent major Indian and international music acts, claim that OpenAI’s AI systems could extract lyrics, compositions, and sound recordings from the internet without consent. T-Series, known for releasing thousands of songs annually, and Saregama, which holds a vast catalogue of iconic Indian music, are leading the charge. The Indian Music Industry (IMI), which also represents global labels like Sony Music and Warner Music, is pushing for the case to be heard in court, as the outcome could impact the future use of copyrighted content in AI training.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, argues that it adheres to fair-use principles by using publicly available data to build its AI models. However, the company is facing increasing legal pressure from multiple sectors worldwide, including recent lawsuits in Germany, where GEMA accused OpenAI of unlicensed use of song lyrics. OpenAI has opposed the Indian lawsuit, claiming that Indian courts do not have jurisdiction over the matter, given the company’s US base.

The next court hearing, which could shape the future of AI and copyright law in India, is scheduled for 21 February. This legal battle is gaining attention, particularly as OpenAI’s chief, Sam Altman, recently visited India to discuss the country’s plans for developing low-cost AI technology.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.