CNN sues Perplexity over alleged copying of its articles

In short: CNN has sued Perplexity in New York, saying Perplexity’s AI sometimes reproduces CNN articles word for word and shows content meant for paying subscribers.

What happened

CNN filed a lawsuit against Perplexity on Thursday in a New York court. CNN says Perplexity’s AI tools can produce “verbatim” copies of CNN reporting. “Verbatim” means the same wording, like copying and pasting.

CNN also claims Perplexity gives users information that is normally locked behind CNN’s subscription paywall. A paywall is like a ticket booth for online articles. People who do not pay are not supposed to see the full content.

Perplexity runs an AI “answer” engine and an AI web browser called Comet. CNN says Perplexity used automated programs called crawlers (like little bots that go page to page collecting text) to scrape CNN’s site. CNN also claims Perplexity ignored attempts to block these crawlers.

CNN points to one example where it says Perplexity’s AI search tool returned large parts of a CNN article when someone entered the article’s title as the prompt.

CNN says it explored a deal to offer its content through Perplexity’s Comet Plus subscription in October 2025, but the talks did not lead to a final agreement. CNN says it ended the arrangement in November and later demanded that Perplexity stop using its content and trademarks. CNN says Perplexity did not respond.

CNN is asking for money damages and a permanent court order to stop the alleged behavior. Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer said, “You can’t copyright facts.”

Why it matters

This case is part of a wider fight over who gets paid when AI tools reuse news and reference sites. The outcome could affect what AI search tools are allowed to show, and whether publishers can keep subscription content from being repeated elsewhere.

Source: The Verge AI