Meta Faces Global Backlash Over Alleged Use of Pirated Books to Train AI Models
Authors and publishers accuse Meta of exploiting copyrighted works for profit without consent, prompting lawsuits and calls for stronger intellectual property protections.
- Court filings reveal that Mark Zuckerberg approved the use of the LibGen dataset, containing over 7.5 million pirated books, to train Meta's AI models despite internal warnings about its legality.
- Authors, including Australian writers, discovered their works were used without permission, sparking outrage and demands for compensation and legal action.
- Meta defends its actions under the concept of 'fair use,' but critics argue this justification is exploitative and undermines creators' rights.
- Class-action lawsuits have been filed in the United States, with new legal actions emerging in France, as global pressure mounts on Meta to address copyright violations.
- Advocacy groups and authors are urging governments to implement AI-specific legislation to safeguard intellectual property and ensure fair treatment for creators.
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