‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

Unsealed Briefs in Authors’ Case v. Microsoft/OpenAI

631 points · 623 comments · papergirl

  1. Skyy93 · · focus · HN ↗
    This is a lobby organisation using only the pieces and bits they like to push their own agenda.

    "sketchy russian website", how about using some more clear description like: A library for sharing books and articles that should be partly public domain because they were paid for by the public. Only some of the material is copyrighted by authors. However, some of their work is so old that it is not reprinted anyway.

    But of course such an explanation would not click.

    I also don't see a problem with statements about making people jobless. Imagine if every robotic or automation company advertised like this: Yeah, you'll buy tons of expensive robots and still rely on expensive labor from real people without any efficiency gains.

    1. quaintdev · · focus · HN ↗
      It's just sad that this is the top comment on Hacker News. Why are we giving free pass to these tech companies? Why are we trusting these CEOs when they have repeatedly broken laws? Remember Aaron Swartz and the fate he suffered? Why is big tech getting away with so much more?
      1. Skyy93 · · focus · HN ↗
        Then you misunderstood my point. I think copyright law should be significantly changed and the current system hurts us all.
        1. ares623 · · focus · HN ↗
          Sure. But the fact is they broke current existing laws, with known punishments with precedents. Same as a new law doesn't retroactively punish someone, then a new law shouldn't absolve someone before it's passed.
          1. Skyy93 · · focus · HN ↗
            >A copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive legal right to copy, distribute, adapt, display, and perform a creative work, usually for a limited time.

            The more interesting question is IMO if AI training actually falls into one of these cases. You can read a book and also copy it, but you do not do because of the law. However, you have the ability to do so. Is having the ability to do something already forbidden?

            1. kenmacd · · focus · HN ↗
              In the Anthropic court case it was determined not to, ie that training was transformative.

              It's like if you read a plumbing book and then made YouTube videos on how to fix a sink.

          2. ben_w · · focus · HN ↗
            They did. They were found guilty. The case I looked at* was a civil case so this was settled out of court before the court imposed a settlement.

            The law they broke was pirating the materials, not training per se, even though training is what so many people object to: the judge ruled that actually training a model, when the materials you used were ones you otherwise had lawful access to, was not a breach of law.

            IMO, the laws need to change to reflect what tech can now do. This wouldn't be the first time, copyright law has had to shift several times before as new means of reproduction are created.

            * the Anthropic one

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.