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Meta Faces Legal Backlash Over 81.7TB Pirated Books

2/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Meta is under fire for allegedly downloading a staggering 81.7 terabytes of pirated books from shadow libraries like LibGen and Z-Library to fuel its AI models. Internal emails expose worries about copyright breaches and efforts to hide torrenting activities. While Meta defends its actions as "fair use," it now confronts serious legal hurdles.

History

Historical Context

Meta's alleged download of 81.7 terabytes of pirated books raises significant copyright concerns reminiscent of past legal battles over intellectual property. The 1976 Copyright Act established strict guidelines for copyright protection, while the 1998 DMCA aimed to combat digital piracy. Meta's claim of "fair use" echoes earlier defenses by tech companies, which often navigate complex copyright laws amidst growing scrutiny and legal challenges.

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Story summary

Meta is under fire for allegedly downloading a staggering 81.7 terabytes of pirated books from shadow libraries like LibGen and Z-Library to fuel its AI models. Internal emails expose worries about copyright breaches and efforts to hide torrenting activities. While Meta defends its actions as "fair use," it now confronts serious legal hurdles.

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