A significant legal challenge looms for Meta, as a federal judge has allowed a copyright infringement case to move forward. The lawsuit, initiated by a group of authors including comedian Sarah Silverman, alleges that Meta used copyrighted works to train its generative AI models, potentially exposing the company to massive penalties and establishing a critical legal precedent.
In 2023, the authors filed suit against both Meta and OpenAI, claiming that these AI systems could accurately reproduce their written work, demonstrating the unauthorized use of protected material. The plaintiffs also allege that both tech companies stripped copyright information from the books to conceal their actions. Meta attempted to dismiss the case on various legal grounds and sought to prevent CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s personal involvement. However, internal communications revealed Zuckerberg’s approval of using ‘likely pirated’ material as part of a broader strategy to compete with OpenAI.
The court’s decision paves the way for a deeper examination of Meta’s data-gathering practices. As reported by TechCrunch, Judge Chhabria stated that copyright infringement allegations represent ‘a concrete injury sufficient for standing’ and that the authors ‘adequately alleged that Meta intentionally removed CMI [copyright management information] to conceal copyright infringement.’ While the judge dismissed claims related to the California fraud act, the core copyright infringement case will now move forward, with Zuckerberg required to participate.
This case represents a potentially embarrassing forced disclosure for Meta, requiring the company to explain how it accessed the data that powers its Llama AI models. The outcome could result in further copyright lawsuits and billions of dollars in penalties. Furthermore, the case may establish a precedent for addressing AI-related copyright disputes, particularly concerning the illegal acquisition of data from online sources. Given Meta’s apparent knowledge of copyright violations through approving the use of pirated material, the legal implications are substantial. The ongoing litigation is poised to become a defining legal battle, pitting prominent artists against a leading technology company. The trial is scheduled to proceed shortly.
