Penguin Random House Takes a Stand Against AI Training

Penguin Random House, a leading book publisher, has officially stated its position on using its books for training artificial intelligence. The company has updated its copyright page for both newly published and republished books to include a specific warning. This warning clearly states, “No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems,” according to a recent report.

New Copyright Page Clauses

This new clause goes further by mentioning that Penguin Random House “expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception,” adhering to the regulations set forth by European Union laws. It appears that Penguin Random House is the first major publishing house to take such a proactive step by addressing AI directly on its copyright page.

Implications of the Update

While this updated copyright page serves as a formal warning, it has limited legal weight regarding copyright laws. The changes can be likened to a "robots.txt" file used by websites, which is a way for content creators to request that AI companies refrain from scraping their material. However, a robots.txt file does not have legal authority; it is merely a guideline accepted by users across the internet. In contrast, copyright protections are inherent regardless of any disclaimer presented on the book's copyright page. Additionally, principles like fair use could still apply even if the copyright owner expresses opposition.

In August, Penguin Random House emphasized its commitment to defending the intellectual property of its authors and artists. This declaration showcases the company's intent to protect its content against potential misuse by AI systems.

Interestingly, not all publishing companies share the same perspective on AI. Some academic publishers, including Wiley, Oxford University Press, and Taylor & Francis, have already engaged in agreements that permit the use of their materials for AI training.

Penguin, AI, Copyright