OrganisationCA

CBC/Radio-Canada

Canadian public broadcaster challenging unlicensed use of its journalism by OpenAI.

Established as a radio broadcaster in 1936, CBC/Radio-Canada provides Canada's national public broadcasting services in English and French.

Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

What is CBC/Radio-Canada's role in the OpenAI copyright case?

Timeline for CBC/Radio-Canada

#13 6 Oct

Mentioned in: Globe and Mail, Postmedia sue Anthropic

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Background

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster, operating as a Crown corporation under the Broadcasting Act. It is headquartered in Ottawa and produces radio, television and digital services. Its online outlets include CBC.ca and Radio-Canada's French-language services. The organisation began as a radio broadcaster in 1936 and developed into a public media service across several formats. [Corporate description](https://www.litigate.com/assets/uploads/Canadian-News-Media-Companies-v-OpenAI.pdf).

The Broadcasting Act sets the purpose of its programming: informing, educating and entertaining Canadians while reflecting the country and its regions. The mandate includes English and French services, attention to linguistic minority communities and recognition of Canada's cultural diversity. It also requires programming to contribute to shared national consciousness and to make distinctly Canadian perspectives available to audiences. [Statutory mandate](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/b-9.01/page-1.html).

Common Questions

Why did CBC/Radio-Canada join the OpenAI lawsuit?

The plaintiffs allege that OpenAI copied their journalism without authorisation.Source: Ontario Superior Court filing

What is CBC/Radio-Canada's public mandate?

The Broadcasting Act requires national public programming that informs, enlightens and entertains, reflecting Canada and its regions.Source: Justice Canada

What languages does CBC/Radio-Canada's statutory mandate cover?

The Act requires programming in English and French, including attention to official language minority communities.Source: Justice Canada

Source Material

News publishers launch copyright suit against AI company Anthropic in Ontario Canadian news media companies v. OpenAI: statement of claim Broadcasting Act, section 3

How the World Sees Them

Publicis Groupe

rising demand for AI-powered products and services

Hakuhodo

does not determine whether copyright infringement has occurred

Lisa Nandy

would not automatically give Sky material influence

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

This unequal treatment will accelerate the cannibalisation of the Australian news industry.

Postmedia, Torstar, The Globe and Mail and The Canadian Press

substantially and unjustly enriched

USA Today Co.

did not suppress output of content from any entity that had not sued it

Fameplay

After a successful debut during the 2026 World Cup, AILA is now becoming a permanent part of what we do.

Time and the agent-advertising camp

This is a growing traffic source, and therefore a growing source of inventory that we believe has huge value if we can continue to develop this product.

European Commission

Even though adherence to the code is voluntary, the transparency requirements under article 50 of the AI Act are legal obligations.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.