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By Robert Channick
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune filed a copyright infringement lawsuit Thursday in New York federal court against Perplexity AI, alleging the California-based startup has been unlawfully profiting off the newspaper's content in building its AI-driven search engine.
The complaint challenges the unauthorized use of often fully reproduced Tribune reporting to provide answers on the Perplexity AI platforms — both a chatbot and newly launched search engine —essentially bypassing the need to link to the newspaper's website.
Using large chunks of the Tribune's original reporting — sometimes inaccurately —diverts traffic away from the newspaper's website, threatening its business model of paid subscriptions and advertising, the lawsuit alleges.
"Perplexity's GenAI Products generate outputs that are identical or substantially similar to the Chicago Tribune's content," the lawsuit states. "Upon information and belief, Perplexity has unlawfully copied millions of copyrighted Chicago Tribune stories, videos, images, and other works to power its products and tools."
A spokesperson for Perplexity AI did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Founded in 2022, Perplexity AI is a generative artificial intelligence company that bills itself as the "world's first answer engine," with a chatbot delivering complete responses that in many cases obviate the need to go to the source link for more information.
In August, Perplexity made an unsolicited $34.5 billion offer to buy Google's Chrome browser. Perplexity launched its own Comet browser broadly in October, which like its chatbot, offers full results from sources such as the Tribune, encouraging users to bypass the newspaper's site.
Until recently, Perplexity actually used the phrase "skip the links" as a sales pitch for its AI products, according to the lawsuit.
"By copying the Chicago Tribune's copyrighted content and using it to create substitutive output derived from its works, obviating the need for users to visit the Chicago Tribune's website or purchase its newspaper, Perplexity is misappropriating substantial subscription, advertising, licensing, and affiliate revenue opportunities that belong rightfully and exclusively to the Chicago Tribune," the lawsuit states.
In addition to lifting content verbatim, like many AI platforms, Perplexity is also prone to "hallucinations," creating inaccurate results and attributing them to the Tribune, which the lawsuit alleges is likely to tarnish the newspaper's brand and cause "serious damage to its worldwide reputation" as a truthful and accurate news source.
"The Perplexity business model is based on the theft of journalism created by real live journalists at the Chicago Tribune and other publications," Mitch Pugh, executive editor of the Tribune, said in a statement. "These journalists work each day to serve the public interest, seeking justice and holding power accountable often at great personal and institutional risk. Any accurate information that Perplexity provides to users is based entirely on this work. It is stealing, plain and simple.
"To make matters worse, too often bad information is provided to users and falsely attributed to trusted news publishers like the Tribune. All of us need to seriously examine the ways in which companies like Perplexity are lining their pockets and what public good this unabashed plundering can possibly serve."
While Perplexity's "answer engine" AI platform threatens the newspaper's business model, it has quickly gained traction on the backs of the Tribune and other news sources, according to the lawsuit, achieving a $20 billion valuation and more than 100 million generative search results each week.
The copyright infringement lawsuit against Perplexity is just the latest brought by legacy media against AI companies, including related legal actions by a coalition of 17 newspapers owned or operated by MediaNews Group and Tribune Publishing.
The Chicago Tribune and seven other newspapers filed a lawsuit last year against OpenAI and Microsoft for allegedly using articles "without permission and without payment" to drive their generative artificial intelligence programs. A second lawsuit on behalf of nine more MediaNews Group and Tribune publications was filed last month. Both cases are ongoing in a New York federal court.
"OpenAI and Microsoft have built their AI products and models on a massive foundation of stolen material," Frank Pine, executive editor of MediaNews Group, said in a statement. "Even worse, their products are undercutting the business model for news by paraphrasing, plagiarizing and outright regurgitating the news content they have stolen and continue to steal. They must be held to account and forced to pay for news and information they use."
The Tribune lawsuit against Perplexity alleges three counts of copyright infringement, one count of false designation and trademark dilution, and one count of trademark infringement. It is seeking undisclosed damages and a permanent injunction preventing Perplexity from engaging in the unlawful use of the newspaper's content. rchannick@chicagotribune.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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