‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

Unsealed Briefs in Authors’ Case v. Microsoft/OpenAI

631 points · 623 comments · papergirl

  1. Betelbuddy · · focus · HN ↗
    The Title should be: "Top Execs Knew Their Mass Book Piracy Was Illegal And Would Put Authors Out of Work"
    1. armchairhacker · · focus · HN ↗
      Are there any studies that show it has actually put more authors out of work than the prior trendline?
      1. afavour · · focus · HN ↗
        I feel like you're skipping over the illegal part. Something legal that puts authors out of work is quite different to blatant breaking of the law.
        1. rpdillon · · focus · HN ↗
          They're not skipping, they're keying on the exact same thing I am, which is whether or not authors have been put out of work because of AI, and to what degree. This is stated like it's a fact, but it is not a fact that is established, at least in my experience.
          1. aeon_ai · · focus · HN ↗
            And the use of the data largely being considered 'fair use' means that theft is an assertion based not in law, but in perception and ignorance.

            Intellectual property is a myth, as any hacker knows. A world where AI can solve diseases easily, and corporations can find ways to claim ownership over those novel solutions, is not one where we should be encouraging stronger IP laws.

            1. customguy · · focus · HN ↗
              > A world where AI can solve diseases easily, and corporations can find ways to claim ownership over those novel solutions, is not one where we should be encouraging stronger IP laws.

              Then attack those corporations directly, instead of leaving authors in the ditch because standing up for common normal people getting fucked over would "encourage stronger IP laws". How do you get to mention random authors who did nothing but write books and hope to get credit and compensation, to potential companies who "can find ways" to claim ownership over the cure for diseases in the same breath?

              There is no "IP law strength" dial that goes in two directions. That is so bereft of any contact with reality it has exactly nothing to do with hacking. Hacking starts with what is, not with fiction.

              1. ChickeNES · · focus · HN ↗
                I’m sure carriage drivers were nice people, but I’m not going to pretend to be upset that they lost their jobs due to cars. I see the commoditization of art as a net win for humanity.
                1. dofm · · focus · HN ↗
                  You understand Warhol made essentially all of his post-illustration career income, during his own lifetime, from licensing and copyright? Including licensing his own identity.

                  We wouldn't even know who he was without it.

                  One could perhaps advance an argument that he wouldn't have wanted to be a posthumous brand (this might be stretching credulity) or have all the squabbles over his estate, but one cannot possibly use him as an avatar in an argument against copyright protection for living artists, because he essentially pioneered being a living famous licensed artist.

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.