**Meta and OpenAI Facing Lawsuit for Copyright Infringement**
Sarah Silverman, Richard Kadrey, and Christopher Golden have filed a class-action lawsuit against Meta and OpenAI, claiming that the tech companies used their copyrighted books without permission to train their AI software programs. The lawsuit was filed in a San Francisco federal court and seeks nearly $1 billion in damages. The authors allege that Meta and OpenAI incorporated text from their books into their generative AI software without providing credit or compensation. This comes after Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay also sued OpenAI for copyright infringement.
The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s LLaMa models consume large amounts of text, including books from both legal and shadow libraries. Project Guttenberg, a collection of e-books with expired copyrights, falls into the legal category. On the other hand, shadow libraries contain e-books that are available for readers but lack copyright permission from authors and publishers. The plaintiffs argue that Meta and OpenAI used data from shadow libraries, which they consider “flagrantly illegal.”
To support their claims, the authors provided conversations with ChatGPT that accurately summarized their books. The AI model was able to produce summaries of Silverman’s “The Bedwetter,” Kadrey’s “Sandman Slim” series, and Golden’s “Ararat.” Additionally, the lawsuit cites a statement from the individual responsible for assembling the data used in LLaMa, confirming the inclusion of a shadow library called “Bibliotik” containing 196,640 books.
While LLaMa is not currently generating profit, Meta plans to release a commercial version in the future. Supporters of LLaMa hope that the AI model can improve safety in the AI field, while critics fear it could be used for harmful purposes such as generating AI spam or promoting cheating and misinformation.
Concerns regarding generative AI extend beyond the literary industry. Other sectors, including music, banking, and film and television, have also expressed apprehension. In Hollywood, there are worries about production studios utilizing AI to replace the work of writers and actors, which has become a significant concern in the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and a potential strike by SAG-AFTRA.
Meta and OpenAI have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the use of copyrighted materials in AI development.
***Editor Notes***
The lawsuit against Meta and OpenAI highlights the ongoing debate surrounding copyright infringement and the use of AI technology. As AI continues to advance, it is crucial to find a balance between innovation and protecting the rights of creators. This case could influence future regulations and practices within the AI industry. To stay updated on the latest news and developments in the AI field, visit GPT News Room [here](https://gptnewsroom.com).
Source link
