Scott Carney Investigates Don't Let Anthropic f*ck you.
Jan 2, 2026
James Bartolome, an attorney at the Duncan Firm, dives deep into the complexities of the recent Anthropic copyright settlement. He breaks down the opt-out rights and explains how authors can pursue statutory damages—up to $150,000 per work. The discussion highlights the disparity between the $3,000 per-book settlement and true author rights, along with potential deductions that may affect payouts. Bartolome stresses the importance of understanding the opt-out process and encourages authors to act before the January 15 deadline to protect their interests.
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Settlement Amounts Are Not Deterrent
- Anthropic's proposed settlement pays roughly $200 per stolen book when spread across millions of works.
- That per-book figure is far below statutory damages and unlikely to deter future AI copying.
Statutory Damages Reach $150,000 Per Work
- Statutory damages allow up to $150,000 per work for willful copyright infringement.
- Authors who opt out can pursue that maximum instead of accepting the fixed settlement amount.
Opt Out Before January 15th
- Do opt out by January 15th if you want to pursue individual statutory damages instead of the settlement.
- Opting out preserves your right to sue for up to $150,000 per book under the Copyright Act.