HarperCollins seeks AI training rights from authors

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HarperCollins wanted to use its authors' works to train an artificial intelligence language model for an unnamed technology company. The publishing company planned to pay the writers of select nonfiction backlist titles a non-negotiable sum of US$2,500 per title (around CA$3,490) to license the book for three years. The offer was revealed by writer and comedian Daniel Kibblesmith on a Bluesky post on November 16 with a one-word caption: "Abominable."

As BGR pointed out, it is encouraging to see HarperCollins giving the authors a way to opt out of the deal, because it could have strong-armed the writers into taking the deal. However, we wouldn't be surprised if many declined the offer, especially given how much they were paying for the licensing.

This is the response the publisher gave 404Media about the matter:

HarperCollins has reached an agreement with an artificial intelligence technology company to allow limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles for training AI models to improve model quality and performance. While we believe this deal is attractive, we respect the various views of our authors, and they have the choice to opt in to the agreement or to pass on the opportunity.

HarperCollins has a long history of innovation and experimentation with new business models. Part of our role is to present authors with opportunities for their consideration while simultaneously protecting the underlying value of their works and our shared revenue and royalty streams. This agreement, with its limited scope and clear guardrails around model output that respects author’s rights, does that.

VIA