Self-Publishing with ALLi Meta Faces Backlash Over AI Training with Pirated Books; Unbound Shuts Down: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dan Holloway
Mar 28, 2025
The podcast dives into the outrage among authors as they discover their works used without permission to train Meta's AI. A LibGen database raises significant copyright concerns, igniting discussions on intellectual property rights. It also reflects on the rise and fall of Unbound, highlighting the challenges faced by indie authors in the crowdfunding landscape and the competition from platforms like Kickstarter, while noting advancements in analytics. The conversation sheds light on the evolving landscape of self-publishing and its implications for creators.
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Meta's AI Training Data Controversy
- Authors discovered their books in a LibGen database used to train Meta's AI.
- This sparked outrage and concerns over copyright infringement, especially after Meta's internal approval of LibGen's use was revealed.
Action for Affected Authors
- Download the Authors Guild of America's formal complaint letter if your work was used without permission.
- The situation is developing, so stay informed about potential compensation.
Unbound's Collapse and Industry Pattern
- Unbound, a crowdfunding publisher, has gone into administration, leaving authors unpaid.
- A new company, Boundless, aims to resolve outstanding issues, but the situation mirrors a pattern of small presses failing and leaving authors stranded.
