A new proposed class action is accusing Microsoft Corp. and multiple companies operated by ChatGPT creator OpenAI of copyright infringement, alleging the companies wrongfully used works by human authors to create multibillion-dollar businesses.

“OpenAI and Microsoft have built a business valued into the tens of billions of dollars by taking the combined works of humanity without permission,” reads the complaint, which was filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court on behalf of lead plaintiff Julian Sancton.

Julian Sancton Julian Sancton. Photo: YouTube