Perplexity AI Faces Global Publisher Lawsuits While Introducing Revenue-Sharing Model for Media Partners

Perplexity AI, the fast-growing $18 billion generative AI search startup, is at the center of a global debate over publisher rights, advertising economics, and the future of content monetization.

Major publishers including Nikkei Inc., The Asahi Shimbun Co., and News Corp’s Dow Jones and New York Post have filed lawsuits alleging copyright infringement, claiming Perplexity scraped and reproduced articles without authorization. The suits demand compensation and removal of content, highlighting the growing tension between AI platforms and media companies.

In Japan, Nikkei and Asahi are seeking ¥2.2 billion (~$15 million) each in damages, citing violations of robots.txt rules and inaccurate AI-generated summaries. In the United States, a federal judge has allowed News Corp’s case to proceed in New York, rejecting Perplexity’s motion to dismiss.

Also Read: Imperium AI Unveils Copilot Suite to Transform PR, Social Media, and Content Marketing

Launch of Comet Plus Revenue-Sharing

Amid these challenges, Perplexity has announced Comet Plus, a $5/month AI-powered browser subscription designed to compensate publishers directly. Under the program, 80% of subscription revenue—amounting to a projected $42.5 million fund—will be distributed to publishers whose content powers AI-generated answers.

Implications for Publishers and AdTech

The lawsuits and revenue-sharing initiative signal a pivotal moment for marketing technology and advertising industries:

• Monetization Shift – Publishers are exploring compensation models beyond display ads, as AI-driven search reduces direct site traffic.
• Legal as Leverage – Lawsuits are becoming negotiation tools, influencing how value is shared between AI platforms and media outlets.
• AdTech Realignment – Revenue-sharing schemes may complement traditional advertising, creating hybrid monetization models for publishers.
• Trust and Brand Safety – Misattribution or inaccuracies in AI summaries raise risks for publishers and advertisers relying on credibility and consumer trust.