OpenAI has not fulfilled its promise to release the Media Manager tool by 2025. Announced in May 2024, the tool was intended to help content creators protect their work from unauthorized use in training neural networks. Media Manager was designed to identify copyrighted text, images, audio, and video, potentially setting a new standard for the AI industry.
However, reports suggest that Media Manager was never a priority for OpenAI. A former employee revealed, “I don’t think it was a priority. Honestly, I don’t even remember anyone working on it.” Another insider confirmed that discussions about the tool occurred but that no updates have been shared since late 2024.
Ongoing Copyright Controversies
The use of copyrighted material in AI training has sparked significant controversy. OpenAI’s models, such as ChatGPT and Sora, are trained on extensive datasets that include text, images, and videos sourced from the internet. While this enables AI to generate creative content, the results often closely resemble the originals. For instance, Sora has produced videos with the TikTok logo or video game characters, and ChatGPT has been caught quoting verbatim from New York Times articles.
This has outraged many creators, leading to lawsuits from artists, writers, and media companies like The New York Times and Radio-Canada. Prominent figures such as Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates have also accused OpenAI of illegally using their work.
OpenAI has introduced partial solutions, such as a form to request the removal of images from training datasets and tools like “robots.txt” to block data collection. However, these options have faced criticism for being cumbersome and inadequate.
Can Media Manager Solve the Issue?
OpenAI initially presented Media Manager as a comprehensive solution. The company claimed it was collaborating with regulators and using advanced machine learning to recognize copyrighted material. Despite these promises, the tool has yet to materialize, and its potential effectiveness remains in doubt.
Experts point out significant challenges. Adrian Cyhan, an intellectual property lawyer, highlights that even platforms like YouTube and TikTok struggle with large-scale content identification. Ed Newton-Rex of Fairly Trained adds that Media Manager may merely shift responsibility onto creators without addressing broader legal challenges.
Even if launched, Media Manager might not shield OpenAI from legal liability. Copyright laws fundamentally prohibit the use of others’ material without permission. As Evan Everist, a copyright expert, notes, “The basic principles of copyright remain unchanged.”
Current Measures and Future Uncertainty
In the absence of Media Manager, OpenAI has implemented filters to prevent verbatim copying and continues to argue that its models create “compilations” rather than plagiarism under the principle of “fair use,” adds NIX Solutions. Courts have previously sided with similar defenses, such as in the Google Books case. However, if rulings go against OpenAI, the company may be forced to rethink its strategy and prioritize the release of Media Manager.
For now, creators and legal experts await further updates. We’ll keep you updated as OpenAI navigates these challenges and refines its approach to copyright compliance.