After Their Books Were Pirated to Train AI, Three Authors Went to Court — and Won. Their Fight Is Just Beginning (Exclusive)

Three Authors’ Legal Victory Against AI Piracy

Three authors recently made headlines for successfully combating AI piracy in court. Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson were part of a group whose literary works were unlawfully used to train artificial intelligence by the company Anthropic. This landmark lawsuit highlighted the infringement of copyrights by illegally extracting content from books. The trio shared their exclusive journey with PEOPLE following a $1.5 billion settlement in September.

Andrea Bartz, known for her thrilling novels like “We Were Never Here,” vividly recalls the moment she discovered her books were being misused to train AI systems. The realization struck a chord with Bartz and other affected authors as they learnt that their intellectual property had been unlawfully appropriated to feed generative AI models. Charles Graeber, a non-fiction writer, expressed feeling insignificant compared to the tech giant that callously exploited his decade-long research without consent.

In response to the violation of their works, Bartz, Graeber, and Wallace Johnson decided to take legal action against Anthropic. Their lawsuit, “Bartz vs. Anthropic,” exposed the company’s practices of downloading books from pirate platforms without permission. Anthropic eventually settled for a historic $1.5 billion, compensating for the unauthorized use of 482,460 books. The settlement also mandated the destruction of copied and original files, preventing their future commercial exploitation.

This legal battle brought the authors together, fostering a sense of unity in their quest for justice. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they stood united against the unethical use of their creative ventures. Through courtroom proceedings and interactions with Anthropic’s legal representatives, the authors gained insights into how AI companies rely on literary content to enhance their platforms. This experience reshaped their perspectives on the role of authors in the evolving landscape of technology.

While the settlement marked a significant victory, the authors acknowledge that the issue of AI piracy persists. A ruling in June 2025 allowed the use of books for AI training if acquired legally, raising concerns about the protection of authors’ rights. Bartz emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of creative works and oppose their commodification for algorithmic purposes. The lawsuit against Anthropic serves as a precedent for other authors navigating the complexities of AI integration in various industries.

Beyond their legal triumph, Bartz, Graeber, and Johnson advocate for a collaborative approach to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. They underscore the importance of supporting creators across all domains and raising awareness about ethical AI practices. Their collective efforts serve as a clarion call to empower authors and safeguard their creative endeavours from exploitation in the digital age.

As the authors continue their advocacy work, they strive to engage with the wider community to foster dialogue on the ethical implications of AI development. Their commitment to upholding artistic integrity and promoting fair use of intellectual property reflects a broader conversation on the intersection of technology and creativity. The trio’s resilience in the face of AI piracy exemplifies the enduring spirit of innovation and resilience within the literary world.

In conclusion, the triumphant legal showdown against AI piracy by Andrea Bartz, Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson underscores the ongoing battle to protect authors’ rights in an era dominated by technological advancements. Their resolute stance against unethical practices sends a powerful message about the importance of upholding intellectual property standards and championing creative autonomy in a digital landscape.