UK Authors Protest Meta's Alleged Copyright Infringement

A group of prominent British authors, including Richard Osman, Kazuo Ishiguro, Kate Mosse, and Val McDermid, are protesting against Meta for allegedly using copyrighted books from the 'shadow library' LibGen to train its AI models without permission. The Society of Authors has submitted an open letter to UK Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, urging her to summon Meta executives to Parliament and hold the company accountable for potential copyright violations. The authors argue that Meta's actions are illegal and detrimental to their livelihoods, as they struggle to combat the unauthorized use of their works, which can undermine their income. The protest coincides with growing outrage among authors after discovering their books listed in LibGen, with many expressing feelings of betrayal and theft. A petition related to this cause has already garnered significant support, highlighting the urgency of the matter. The authors emphasize the need for stronger protections against tech companies that exploit creative content without compensation.