French publishers and authors have filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the tech giant of unlawfully using their copyrighted works to train its artificial intelligence models. The legal action, announced on Wednesday, highlights ongoing tensions between the creative industry and major technology firms over AI and copyright regulations.
Three prominent trade organizations—The National Publishing Union (SNE), the National Union of Authors and Composers (SNAC), and the Societe des Gens de Lettres (SGDL)—have initiated legal proceedings in a Paris court. They claim Meta engaged in the “massive exploitation of copyrighted content” without authorization to enhance its generative AI capabilities.
Publishers Demand AI Transparency and Compliance
SNE President Vincent Montagne stated that multiple works from its member publishers were found within Meta’s training datasets. The publishers are demanding that Meta disclose its AI training sources and remove any unauthorized content.
Meta has yet to respond to the allegations. The company has recently integrated generative AI chatbot assistants across its Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp platforms, sparking concerns over ethical AI usage.
Francois Peyrony, president of SNAC, emphasized that the lawsuit is essential to safeguard authors and composers from AI-driven infringement. “AI is harvesting and repurposing our cultural heritage without consent, while also generating ‘fake books’ that compete with legitimate literature,” he stated.
SGDL, which represents authors, echoed similar concerns, calling for the immediate removal of data directories Meta allegedly compiled without permission.
Legal Battle Amid EU AI Regulations
The lawsuit comes as the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act mandates AI developers to adhere to copyright laws and maintain transparency regarding their training data. The case against Meta is one of several recent disputes pitting content creators against tech companies accused of unauthorized data use.
This legal challenge follows a broader trend of resistance from artists and publishers worldwide. In the UK, musicians recently released a silent album in protest against proposed AI regulations they believe could undermine creative rights. Additionally, media and technology firm Thomson Reuters recently secured a legal victory against a defunct AI-driven legal research company over fair use concerns.
As AI-driven technologies continue to evolve, legal battles over copyright and intellectual property rights are expected to intensify, shaping the future of AI development and ethical content usage.