Authors Protest Meta Over Alleged Use of Pirated Books for AI Training

On April 3, members of the Society of Authors (SoA) gathered outside the London headquarters of Meta to voice their grievances regarding the company’s alleged use of pirated literary works for training artificial intelligence models.

Calls for Inquiry and Legal Action

At the forefront of the protest was author AJ West, who aimed to deliver a formal complaint to Meta. However, the protestors found the office doors locked, preventing them from delivering their letter in person. This prompted a series of chants demanding that Meta “open the doors” and accept their correspondence.

West remarked on the situation, stating that while Meta had no qualms about “stealing” approximately 7.5 million books, it seemed hesitant to accept a single letter from authors. The protest displayed a united front, with signs bearing messages like “Get the Zuck off our books” and “I’d write a better sign but you’d just steal it.”

Authors Demand Action

West emphasized the need for an open dialogue with both the government and Meta. “It is unacceptable that key political figures have not recognized this widespread theft of intellectual property,” he stated. He advocates for immediate legislation to address these issues and believes that authors should be compensated for the unauthorized use of their works.

Legal Framework and Fair Use Claims

In the context of ongoing legal battles, Meta has cited the “fair use” doctrine in the United States to defend its actions. However, industry experts suggest that such a defense might not hold up in the UK due to different interpretations of copyright laws. Writer Nick Coveney pointed out that using an entire book, as alleged, decidedly falls outside the boundaries of fair use, drawing an analogy to stealing an entire bike while claiming only a fraction was taken.

Path Forward for Authors

In addition to compensation, Coveney called for Meta to allow authors to opt-out of having their intellectual property used in AI training. “Meta should be compelled to remove all works taken without consent from their systems,” he insisted.

Author KJ Charles shared her experience, stating that 25 of her novels were allegedly used in this unauthorized manner and emphasized her desire for rightful compensation, declaring that individuals have a right to their copyright. Fellow author Sarah J Harris echoed these sentiments, stating that there should be penalties imposed on Meta for their actions, urging for substantial fines and restitution for authors.

Solidarity in Action

Another protestor, Sita Brahmachari, highlighted the proactive steps she had taken with her publisher to include a “No AI training” clause in her contract, reflecting a growing awareness among authors about their rights. “Despite their refusal to engage with us directly, they have taken our works without asking for permission,” she stated.

Looking Ahead

The protest serves as an important starting point for a broader movement among authors to reclaim control over their intellectual property in the digital age. With mounting pressure on Meta to address these concerns, the call for a comprehensive inquiry and potential legal action may reshape the future of copyright and AI technologies.

The Bookseller has reached out to Meta for comment regarding the ongoing situation.