Penguin Random House Bans AI Training on Its Books with New Copyright Rules
Penguin Random House (PRH) has implemented new copyright language specifically targeting AI use of its published works. The updated wording explicitly prohibits using any part of their books "for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems."
The publisher will include these new notices in all upcoming titles and reprinted backlist books. The language specifically addresses large language models (LLMs) and reserves rights from text and data mining, following European Parliament directives.
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PRH UK CEO Tom Weldon emphasized that the company will "vigorously defend the intellectual property that belongs to our authors and artists." This stance has received support from The Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society, with CEO Barbara Hayes encouraging other publishers to follow suit.
Several publishers have already taken practical steps by sending cease and desist letters to major LLM platforms. When approached for comment on similar copyright updates:
- Pan Macmillan, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster declined to comment
- Faber has implemented an 'AI Policy' restricting freelancers from using authors' content in AI programs for any purpose
This move represents one of the strongest stances taken by a major publisher to protect authors' intellectual property rights in the age of AI.
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