Two years ago, the Writers Guild of America went on strike over AI protections, and after six months of solidarity, studios met their demands. Today, writers face a new threat from tech companies like OpenAI, lobbying the White House to rewrite copyright law. This would allow them to freely train models on films, TV shows, articles, and books without paying royalties.
The U.S. Copyright Office Director, Shira Perlmutter, was fired after publishing a report advocating for preserving current copyright law. Her firing signals a setback for tech companies’ attempts to expand the Fair Use doctrine into a “smash and grab” campaign on copyrighted material.
Dozens of lawsuits against OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta are ongoing, with potential damages reaching billions. This is not a new threat; the industry has faced similar challenges since Napster’s rise in 1999. However, this time, tech companies are asking the government for permission to “steal” writers’ work.
If copyright protections were stripped away, it would undermine the value proposition of union members who have fought hard to maintain their benefits. Companies like OpenAI refuse to negotiate consent and pay royalties, leaving them with no choice but to follow the law.
The solution is simple: stop stealing writers’ work and follow the law. Industry leaders like Sam Altman have acknowledged that new models for compensating creative output are needed, but this is not a reason to undermine copyright protections. The Writers Guild of America East AI Task Force emphasizes that consent and payment are essential components of fair use.
The fight against tech companies’ attempts to devalue writers’ professions is ongoing. It’s time for the government to take action and protect writers’ rights.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/ai-napster-moment-1236232248