Penske Media Corporation (PMC), publisher of Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging the company’s AI-generated search overviews illegally use its journalism and siphon traffic from its websites, Axios reported.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., marks the first time a major U.S. publisher has taken Google to court over AI search features. PMC claims Google’s “AI Overviews” pull directly from its reporting to display answers within search results, discouraging users from clicking through to original articles.
“As a leading global publisher, we have a duty to protect PMC’s best-in-class journalists and award-winning journalism as a source of truth,” said Jay Penske, the company’s chairman and CEO, in a statement to Axios. “We have a responsibility to proactively fight for the future of digital media and preserve its integrity – all of which is threatened by Google’s current actions.”
PMC said about 20% of Google search results linking to its sites now include AI summaries, with that share expected to rise. It added that its affiliate revenue fell by more than a third by the end of 2024, citing declines in search traffic. The suit argues that “siphoning and discouraging user traffic” threatens the business model that sustains independent journalism.
Google has rejected the claims, saying its AI summaries actually drive users to a broader range of sources. “With AI Overviews, people find Search more helpful and use it more, creating new opportunities for content to be discovered,” spokesperson José Castañeda told Axios. “We will defend against these meritless claims.”
PMC’s lawsuit follows similar complaints against Google and other AI firms, amid growing battles over compensation for the use of journalistic content.
Need Help?
If you’re concerned or have questions about how to navigate the global AI regulatory landscape, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
