In a stunning legal development, renowned comedian Sarah Silverman and acclaimed authors Christopher Golden and Richard Kadrey have filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Meta. These lawsuits, alleging copyright infringement, have thrust the use of AI models into the spotlight. The authors claim that OpenAI and Meta trained their ChatGPT and LLaMA models, respectively, on illicitly-acquired datasets containing their works. As these legal battles unfold, they raise important questions about the boundaries of copyright protection in the digital age.

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Allegations Against OpenAI and Meta

Silverman, Golden & Kadrey assert that their works were obtained from “shadow library” websites such as Bibliotik, Library Genesis, and Z-Library. They argue that their books, available in bulk through torrent systems, were used to train OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s LLaMA without their consent. The exhibits presented as evidence show that these AI models can summarize the authors’ books, infringing on their copyrights. Moreover, the authors claim that the AI chatbots did not reproduce their copyright management information.

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Lawsuit Against Meta

The lawsuit against Meta alleges that the company’s LLaMA models’ training datasets contained the authors’ works. Meta’s training dataset, ThePile, assembled by EleutherAI, was described as being derived from a copy of the contents of Bibliotik. The authors argue that Bibliotik and other “shadow libraries” are blatantly illegal sources. By utilizing these datasets, Meta’s AI models allegedly violate copyright laws.

The Legal Battle Unfolds

The lawsuits filed by Silverman, Golden, and Kadrey comprise six counts. This includes various copyright violations, negligence, unjust enrichment, and unfair competition. The authors seek statutory damages, restitution of profits, and more. Lawyers Joseph Saveri and Matthew Butterick represent the authors. They highlight the concerns of numerous writers, authors, and publishers who worry about the uncanny ability of ChatGPT to generate text similar to copyrighted materials.

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The Broader Implications

These lawsuits extend beyond OpenAI and Meta; they raise fundamental questions about the limits of copyright protection in the face of advancing AI technology. The battle between creativity and artificial intelligence underscores the need for clear guidelines to protect the rights of authors and creators. The outcomes of these legal cases could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI development, forcing companies to navigate the boundaries between innovation and intellectual property rights.

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Our Say

The legal dispute between Silverman, Golden, Kadrey, OpenAI, and Meta highlights the challenges of acquiring training datasets for AI models. These lawsuits underscore the importance of establishing ethical and legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of authors and creators in the digital era. As society grapples with the ever-evolving relationship between AI and copyright, finding a delicate balance that fosters innovation while respecting intellectual property is crucial. Ultimately, the outcomes of these lawsuits will shape the future of AI technology and the limits of copyright protection.