Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Use of Pirated Books to Train AI
Authors Grady Hendrix and Jennifer Roberson sued Apple for using pirated books to train AI models in its devices. They seek class-action status, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted works.
American Authors Sue Apple Over Use of Pirated Books in AI Training
Two American authors, Grady Hendrix and Jennifer Roberson, have filed a lawsuit against Apple in California. They accuse the company of using pirated books to train AI models embedded in its devices, specifically part of Apple’s “Apple Intelligence” features.
The authors claim Apple collected a vast library of data that includes copyrighted works copied without consent, credit, or compensation. They seek to expand the lawsuit into a class-action case, arguing their books were among the materials scraped from so-called “shadow libraries” of pirated content. Apple has not yet responded to these allegations.
Context of the Lawsuit
This legal action comes at a time when AI development is increasingly under scrutiny for copyright issues. Recently, Anthropic, a US AI start-up, agreed to pay at least $1.5 billion to copyright holders after accusations of downloading millions of books illegally to train its AI model “Claude.”
The Anthropic case revealed a complex legal environment. A California judge ruled that training AI with copyrighted materials could qualify as fair use. However, Anthropic was found guilty of downloading and storing pirated books instead of legally purchasing them.
Legal Battles Around AI and Intellectual Property
- Writers, musicians, and publishers are suing tech companies over unauthorized use of their work for AI training.
- Tech companies often defend themselves by citing the legal doctrine of “fair use,” which can limit enforcement of intellectual property rights.
- A separate federal judge sided with Meta in a similar case, noting that plaintiffs could strengthen their claims by showing AI tools create market competition with original works.
These legal disputes highlight ongoing questions about how AI development intersects with copyright law. For IT professionals working with AI, staying informed about these developments is crucial, especially as data sourcing and licensing become focal points in AI project planning.
For those interested in expanding their AI skills with a focus on ethical AI use and compliance, consider exploring relevant courses and resources such as those available at Complete AI Training.
