Authors Demand UK Action on Meta Over Alleged Book Copyright Breach

Several prominent British authors are demanding that the British government hold Meta accountable for stealing their texts with the purpose of training AI. I'm a crime writer, I recognize a theft when I see one, says Val McDermid.

» Published: April 01 2025

Authors Demand UK Action on Meta Over Alleged Book Copyright Breach
Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/TT

Share this article

Even Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro and Richard Osman are among the authors who have written an open letter to the British government, asking them to hold Meta accountable for copyright infringement.

There has long been an obligation under agreements that when a third party uses a writer's work, they should compensate us, says Val McDermid, according to The Guardian.

Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is accused of having allowed the company to use a notorious "shadow library", "Libgen", with over 7.5 million books. The American magazine The Atlantic recently published a searchable database with the titles in Libgen, so that authors can see if their work has been used without permission to train Meta's AI models.

The letter, published by the trade union Society of Authors, demands that the government hold Meta accountable and that the company's executives provide assurances that they will respect copyright and pay authors whose work has been used.

A spokesperson from Meta said that the company has developed "incredible innovation, productivity, and creativity" and that fair use of copyrighted material is crucial for them. Meta disagrees with the allegations and writes that they "will vigorously defend ourselves to protect GenAI."

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Alicia Vikander Stars in New Putin Drama Film with Jude Law
3 MIN READ

Alicia Vikander Stars in New Putin Drama Film with Jude Law

Marie and Bill Nylander Buy One Euro House in Italian Renovation Project
2 MIN READ

Marie and Bill Nylander Buy One Euro House in Italian Renovation Project

New Ice Age Film Boiling Point Premieres February 2027
1 MIN READ

New Ice Age Film Boiling Point Premieres February 2027

Protesters in Venice Rally Against Gaza Conflict During Film Festival
1 MIN READ

Protesters in Venice Rally Against Gaza Conflict During Film Festival

Bob Hund Fans Parade Through Stockholm Ahead of Final Concert
1 MIN READ

Bob Hund Fans Parade Through Stockholm Ahead of Final Concert

Mads Mikkelsen Talks Filming Challenges for The Last Viking
3 MIN READ

Mads Mikkelsen Talks Filming Challenges for The Last Viking

Critics Disappointed by Hov1's Farewell Concert in Stockholm
2 MIN READ

Critics Disappointed by Hov1's Farewell Concert in Stockholm

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Debuts at Venice Film Festival
3 MIN READ

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein Debuts at Venice Film Festival

Hov1 Bids Emotional Farewell to Fans at Stockholm Concert
3 MIN READ

Hov1 Bids Emotional Farewell to Fans at Stockholm Concert

Yasin's Canceled Concerts in Sweden: What It Means for His Career
3 MIN READ

Yasin's Canceled Concerts in Sweden: What It Means for His Career

Neil Young Criticizes Trump with New Song on White House Fascism
1 MIN READ

Neil Young Criticizes Trump with New Song on White House Fascism

Social Democrats Summon Culture Minister Over TV4 Network Exit
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Summon Culture Minister Over TV4 Network Exit

TV4 Exits Terrestrial Network: How to Know If You're Affected
3 MIN READ

TV4 Exits Terrestrial Network: How to Know If You're Affected

Audience Conducts Swedish Symphony Orchestra with AI at Baltic Sea Festival
1 MIN READ

Audience Conducts Swedish Symphony Orchestra with AI at Baltic Sea Festival

TV4's Exit from Terrestrial Network Impacts Public Service Funding
1 MIN READ

TV4's Exit from Terrestrial Network Impacts Public Service Funding

Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Passes Away at 92
1 MIN READ

Russian Composer Rodion Shchedrin Passes Away at 92

Danny Ramirez to Lead and Produce New Scarface Film
1 MIN READ

Danny Ramirez to Lead and Produce New Scarface Film

Jireel Replaces Yasin at Kristianstad's Trädgården Festival
2 MIN READ

Jireel Replaces Yasin at Kristianstad's Trädgården Festival

Jon Olsson's Wedding Featured in New Reality Series Star Wedding
1 MIN READ

Jon Olsson's Wedding Featured in New Reality Series Star Wedding

Minister Calls Gaming Industry Meeting on Grooming Concerns
1 MIN READ

Minister Calls Gaming Industry Meeting on Grooming Concerns