Issue No. 072 · Story 01 · November 2, 2026

Cate Blanchett Asks Court to Consider OpenAI Licensing Brief

On October 30, Cate Blanchett, Steven Soderbergh and Nick Hexum joined six organizations seeking permission to file a proposed friend-of-the-court brief in copyright owners' case against OpenAI and Microsoft. The proposed brief argues that licensing for AI training is workable and already happening. As of November 2, no court has decided the merits or granted permission to file the brief.

§According to the proposed brief, OpenAI and Microsoft argue that clearing rights for AI training is cost-prohibitive and technically unfeasible.
§The proposed brief argues that collective licensing is established and machine-readable consent tools are in use.
§The fourth fair use factor asks whether a use harms a copyrighted work's market.

THE TAKEAWAY

Evidence that rights can be cleared speaks to market harm under fair use. It does not establish whether copying occurred.

Filing: ESCA Filings

Same issue

Audi of America Sues Everbright Over Toy Cars

On October 28, Audi of America, Automobili Lamborghini America and Volkswagen Group of America sued Everbright Trading and Lisen Pan in federal court. The complaint alleges Everbright imports and sells toy cars bearing counterfeit brand marks and copies the real vehicles' look. As of November 2, no court has ruled on any claim.

Trademark

Cardsmiths Challenges Mickey Mantle Rights Claims

Cardsmiths filed a federal complaint against Danny Mantle, William Mantle and others on October 28 over letters to retailers about its Mickey Mantle trading card. It alleges the letters asserted trademark and publicity rights the defendants do not hold and caused retailer cancellations, returns and concessions. As of November 2, no court has decided the merits of any claim.

Right of Publicity