French publishers and authors have made a bold move against the tech giant, Meta, announcing legal proceedings over alleged unauthorized use of their works in AI training. They accuse the company of exploiting copyrighted material for the development of its AI model without proper authorization. This legal confrontation, initiated in a Paris court, is spearheaded by three key trade organizations.
Representing book publishers, the National Publishing Union has raised alarms over what they label as Meta’s “massive use of copyrighted works.” The union’s president, Vincent Montagne, expressed concern that a significant number of works held by their members are appearing within Meta’s data resources used for AI training. In a collective statement with other groups, Montagne stressed that the social media giant has not adhered to copyright protocols.
Meta has yet to respond to these allegations. However, the tech firm recently introduced AI-driven chatbot assistants across its popular platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Montagne has criticized Meta for what he terms as “noncompliance with copyright and parasitism.”
The lawsuit is further supported by the National Union of Authors and Composers, which represents various creatives like writers, playwrights, and composers. They argue that action is vital to safeguard their members from artificial intelligence that exploits cultural works to enhance itself. According to the union’s president, Francois Peyrony, there is a growing concern about AI’s role in generating ‘fake books’ that could compete with authentic literary works.
The Societe des Gens de Lettres, another organization involved in the lawsuit, represents authors and demands that Meta completely remove data directories sourced without consent for AI training. These actions echo the overarching expectations set by the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, which mandates that generative AI systems must respect copyright laws and be transparent about their data sources.
This legal dispute underscores a broader tension between creative industries and tech companies concerning data and intellectual property rights. The conflict is not isolated, as similar challenges are arising worldwide. Recently, British musicians launched a silent protest album in response to proposed AI legislation changes in the UK, fearing these could undermine artistic autonomy.
In the United States, legal discussions continue, such as the successful case for Thomson Reuters against a former legal research entity, which questioned AI-related fair use in copyright. Meanwhile, cases involving visual artists and news organizations are progressing through the legal system. These emerging legal disputes highlight the ongoing struggle to balance technological advancement with cultural and intellectual property protections.
