Microsoft is developing the Publisher Content Marketplace (PCM), an AI licensing platform that will display usage terms established by publishers. This initiative aims to facilitate AI companies in browsing these terms and establishing agreements to utilize online content for enhancing their AI models. Simultaneously, content owners will receive usage-based reporting to aid in determining prices.
Microsoft is collaborating with entities like Vox Media, The Associated Press, Condé Nast, and others to co-design the PCM. The surge in AI advancement has largely relied on content consumption without compensation, prompting legal actions and licensing deals by publishers facing declining traffic from traditional sources. Notably, copyright lawsuits have been initiated by publishers such as The New York Times and The Intercept against Microsoft and OpenAI.
Furthermore, an open standard named Really Simple Licensing (RSL) has been introduced by publishers to establish a framework ensuring the sustainability of the digital media industry amidst the AI era. This standard embeds licensing terms into a publisher’s website, outlining payment guidelines for bots scraping their content.
When asked about potential interactions with RSL, Microsoft’s spokesperson mentioned plans to engage closely with publishing partners during the PCM’s development. The company stated that PCM will support publishers of varied sizes, offering licensed premium content access to AI developers, who, in turn, enhance their products with paid content value.
Source: The Verge