Sullivan v. OpenAI Foundation

Summary

Michael Sullivan is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement, claiming they used his work without permission to train AI models. The lawsuit names multiple OpenAI entities and executives alongside Microsoft, alleging the companies violated copyright law by incorporating protected content into their large language models.

Summary generated by AI from public docket data. Verify against the original filing before relying on it.

Coverage vs reality meter

Press coverage and the latest court ruling tell the same story.

Cause

17:501 Copyright Infringement

Entities in this case

Parties

Dana Loewy (plaintiff) Lion Den, Inc. (plaintiff) Kevin T. Patton (plaintiff) Alan J. Marcus (plaintiff) Zvi Bodie (plaintiff) Kenneth S. Saladin (plaintiff) Michael Sullivan (plaintiff) OpenAI Foundation (defendant) Microsoft Corporation (defendant) OpenAI Startup Fund Management LLC (defendant) OpenAI Startup Fund GP I LLC (defendant) OpenAI Startup Fund I LP (defendant) OAI Corporation (defendant) OpenAI Global, LLC (defendant) OpenAI OpCo, LLC (defendant) OpenAI GP, LLC (defendant) OpenAI Group PBC (defendant) United States of America (interested party)

Docket entries

1. 2026-09-02

   >>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 16 MOTION for Randolph Gaw to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)

2. 2026-09-02

   Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion

3. #162026-09-01

   MOTION for Randolph Gaw to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Zvi Bodie, Lion Den, Inc., Dana Loewy, Alan J. Marcus, Kevin T. Patton, Kenneth S. Saladin, Michael Sullivan. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 2 Affidavit of Randolph Gaw, # 3 Proposed Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Randolph Gaw).(Gaw, Randolph) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

4. #152026-09-01

   LETTER addressed to Judge Sidney H. Stein from United States of America dated September 1, 2026 re: STATEMENT OF INTEREST OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Document filed by United States of America.Filed In Associated Cases: 1:25-md-03143-SHS-OTW et al..(Weisbuch, Michael) (Entered: 09/01/2026)

5. #142026-08-28

   ORDER : Plaintiffs are ordered to show cause in writing on or before September 11, 2026, why this action should not be stayed pending resolution of summary judgment motions in the other active cases in this multidistrict litigation. Defendants' response, if any,shall be filed by September 18, 2026. SO ORDERED. Show Cause Response due by 9/11/2026. (Signed by Judge Sidney H. Stein on 8/28/2026) Filed In Associated Cases: 1:25-md-03143-SHS-OTW, 1:26-cv-06966-SHS (jca) (Entered: 08/28/2026)

6. 2026-08-24

   Notice of Case Assignment/Reassignment

7. 2026-08-24

   Notice Regarding Deficient Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

8. 2026-08-24

   CASE ACCEPTED AS RELATED. Create association to 1:25-md-03143-SHS-OTW. Notice of Assignment to follow. (vba)

9. 2026-08-24

   CONSOLIDATED MDL CASE: Create association to 1:25-md-03143-SHS-OTW.. (vba)

10. 2026-08-24

    Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1), and Local Civil Rule 73.1, parties are notified that they may, with the approval of the assigned District Judge, consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf. (vba)

11. 2026-08-24

    NOTICE OF CASE REASSIGNMENT to Judge Sidney H. Stein. Judge Unassigned is no longer assigned to the case. (vba)

12. 2026-08-24

    >>>NOTICE REGARDING DEFICIENT MOTION TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE. Notice to RE-FILE Document No. 13 MOTION for Randolph Gaw to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-33326519. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff... The filing is deficient for the following reason(s): missing Certificate of Good Standing from Supreme Court of California, not state bar;. Re-file the motion as a Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice - attach the correct signed PDF - select the correct named filer/filers - attach valid Certificates of Good Standing issued within the past 30 days - attach Proposed Order.. (bc)

13. 2026-08-21

    CASE REFERRED to Judge Sidney H. Stein as possibly related to 25-md-3143. (gp)

14. 2026-08-17

    Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice

15. 2026-08-17

    Notice to Attorney Regarding Case Opening Statistical Error Correction

16. 2026-08-17

    Notice to Attorney Regarding Party Modification

17. 2026-08-17

    ***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING PARTY MODIFICATION. Notice to attorney David Neal Slarskey. The party information for the following party/parties has been modified: OpenAI Foundation (f/k/a OpenAI Inc.). The information for the party/parties has been modified for the following reason/reasons: alias party type was entered incorrectly. (sj)

18. 2026-08-17

    ***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING CIVIL. CASE OPENING STATISTICAL ERROR CORRECTION: Notice to attorney David Neal Slarskey. The following case opening statistical information was erroneously selected/entered: County code New York. The following correction(s) have been made to your case entry: the County code has been modified to XX Out of State. (sj)

19. 2026-08-17

    CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Unassigned. (sj)

20. 2026-08-17

    Case Designated ECF. (sj)

Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.