French publishers and authors sue Meta
French publishers and authors have taken legal action against Meta, alleging that the social media giant has been using their content without permission to train its AI models. The lawsuit, filed in a Paris court by three trade groups, accuses Meta of unauthorized use of copyrighted works to develop its generative AI model.
Accusations against Meta
The National Publishing Union, representing book publishers, has raised concerns about the inclusion of "numerous works" from its members in Meta's data pool. Vincent Montagne, the president of the union, criticized Meta for its alleged noncompliance with copyright laws and accused the company of parasitism.
The National Union of Authors and Composers, which represents 700 writers, playwrights, and composers, highlighted the importance of protecting members from AI systems that exploit their works for training purposes. The union expressed worries about the emergence of AI-generated content that competes with genuine literary works.
Another group involved in the lawsuit, the Societe des Gens de Lettres, emphasized the need for Meta to delete all unauthorized data directories used in training its AI models. The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act mandates that generative AI systems adhere to copyright regulations and disclose the sources of training data.
Industry disputes over AI and copyright
The legal action against Meta underscores the ongoing conflict between traditional creative industries and technology firms regarding data usage and copyright protection. In a similar vein, British musicians recently released a silent album as a form of protest against proposed AI legislation that could undermine artists' control over their work.
