Neuroscientists Sue Apple Over Pirated Books in AI Training
News October 13, 2025

Neuroscientists Sue Apple Over Pirated Books in AI Training

Two neuroscientists filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple, alleging the company used pirated copies of their books from the Books3 dataset to train Apple Intelligence, infringing copyrights. This echoes industry debates on AI data sourcing and fair use. The suit seeks damages and an injunction, potentially setting precedents for ethical AI practices.

**Neuroscientists Take Apple to Court Over AI Training Data**

A legal battle is brewing in the tech world as two neuroscientists have launched a class-action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of copyright infringement. The core of the dispute lies in the training of Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of AI technologies. The plaintiffs allege that Apple used unauthorized copies of their copyrighted books, sourced from the controversial Books3 dataset, to feed and train its AI models.

The Books3 dataset has been a point of contention within the AI community for some time, as it contains a vast collection of books, many of which were allegedly obtained without proper licensing or author consent. The neuroscientists claim that Apple's use of these pirated materials constitutes a direct violation of their copyrights.

The lawsuit underscores the growing debate surrounding the ethical sourcing of data for AI training. While AI models require massive datasets to learn and function effectively, questions remain about the legitimacy and fairness of using copyrighted material without permission or compensation to the creators. The principle of "fair use," which allows limited use of copyrighted material under certain circumstances, is often invoked in these situations, but its applicability to large-scale AI training remains a subject of intense legal and ethical scrutiny.

The neuroscientists are seeking damages from Apple for the alleged copyright infringement. Furthermore, they are requesting an injunction to prevent Apple from further utilizing copyrighted material obtained through illicit means in its AI training processes. This legal action has the potential to set significant precedents for the AI industry, potentially shaping how companies approach data sourcing and the ethical considerations involved in developing AI technologies. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications, influencing future legal interpretations of copyright law in the context of AI and prompting companies to adopt more transparent and ethical practices in their AI development efforts. The plaintiffs hope this case will send a clear message that authors deserve to be compensated for the use of their work, even in the digital age of AI.
Category: Politics