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Hachette, Cengage Move to Join Google AI Training Lawsuit

The bid could widen the proposed class action by bringing publishers' claims over alleged book copying used to train Gemini.

Overview

  • The publishers filed a motion on Jan. 15 to intervene in the consolidated In re Google Generative AI case in California federal court before Judge Eumi Lee.
  • They allege Google copied content from their books and textbooks without permission, citing 10 works including titles by Scott Turow and N.K. Jemisin.
  • The filing asserts Google drew training data from piracy-linked sites such as Z-Library and OceanofPDF and from behind paywalls, including within the C4 dataset.
  • The publishers seek unspecified monetary damages and injunctive relief, including destruction of unauthorized copies, with class certification set for Feb. 4, 2026 and a proposed intervention hearing on May 6, 2026.
  • Google did not immediately comment, and the Association of American Publishers said publishers' participation would help address legal and evidentiary questions.