In today’s Digest, we cover Perplexity facing a CNN lawsuit over a copyright dispute, Amazon launching new bidstream signal tools, and Pichai downplaying fears around ‘Google Zero’. 

CNN sues Perplexity over AI copyright 

CNN has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Perplexity, accusing the AI startup of unlawfully copying, reproducing and distributing its journalism without permission. The case marks CNN’s first legal action over AI-related copyright issues and is believed to be the first such lawsuit brought by a television news network.

The complaint, filed in a New York federal court, alleges that Perplexity used CNN’s content to power its AI-generated responses despite failing to secure a licensing agreement with the broadcaster. CNN said it had attempted to negotiate a commercial deal with the company last year but was unable to reach terms. The network argues that AI firms benefiting from professionally produced journalism should compensate publishers rather than using their content without authorisation.

Perplexity rejected the claims, with the company maintaining that facts themselves cannot be copyrighted. 

Amazon launches Bidstream signal tools 

Amazon Publisher Services (APS) has expanded its Signal IQ platform, a bidstream testing tool designed to help publishers identify which data signals genuinely influence advertiser demand and revenue. Originally launched in 2024, the tool now evaluates a much broader range of bidstream signals, including global placement IDs (GPIDs), transaction IDs and video classification data.

According to APS, the strongest revenue gains often come from signals that increase advertiser confidence, extending beyond identity data to contextual, device-level and content-related information. The company argues that many publishers continue investing in identity and supply-path optimisation strategies without sufficient visibility into what buyers truly value.

Pichai downplays Google Zero fears

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said the company is drawing on more than 25 years of experience measuring user satisfaction in Search to evaluate and improve its AI-powered search products. Speaking in an interview with The Verge, Pichai explained that Google tracks signals such as engagement, repeat visits, session behaviour and whether users return to search results after viewing an answer. He said these metrics help the company understand how well AI-generated responses are meeting users’ needs and guide long-term improvements to the search experience.