Korean Broadcasters Sue Naver Over AI Training on News Content
Three South Korean broadcasters sued Naver, alleging the company used their news articles without authorization to train generative AI models. The lawsuit centers on whether Naver's existing terms of service permitted such use and whether current affairs news qualifies for copyright protection under Korean law.
What happened
South Korea's three major broadcastersโKBS, MBC, and SBSโfiled a civil lawsuit against Naver on September 18, 2025, alleging the company used their news articles without authorization to train generative AI models HyperClobaX and HyperClovaX.
The broadcasters claim Naver replicated and transmitted their news content to develop AI without explicit permission, and demand 200 million won per broadcaster in damages and an injunction against further use of their content.
Reported impact
The broadcasters characterize the dispute as involving their core news content assets being used to develop commercial AI products without compensation or consent.
Index analysis
Naver argues it received lawful authorization through existing terms of service agreements with the broadcasters and that news content for current affairs reporting is excluded from copyright protection under South Korean law.
The court noted the broadcasters must specify which particular articles constitute infringement, and asked both parties to clarify whether the terms of service permit AI training use and whether current affairs news qualifies for copyright protection.
Governance controls
The broadcasters cite global licensing practices where companies like ChatGPT and OpenAI negotiate licensing agreements with news organizations, suggesting Naver should follow industry standards.
Naver contends that the broadcasters received news content through terms of service already in existence with Naver, giving the company rights to use the provided content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.