Fox Williams LLP has been instructed by a group of independent publishers, coordinated by the Independent Publishers Guild, in relation to potential copyright infringement arising from the training and development of large language models.
Letters of claim were sent 10 February 2026 to a number of leading AI developers, including Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, Google and xAI. The letters set out concerns that copyrighted books, journals and other literary works may have been used without authorisation to train large language models.
The correspondence seeks confirmation of the basis on which relevant works have been used, details of the datasets relied upon, and undertakings to cease any unauthorised use of protected content. The publishers reserve their position, including the right to pursue formal legal proceedings if necessary.
The matter raises significant issues for the publishing sector, including the scope of copyright protection in the context of AI training, transparency around data sourcing, and the balance between technological development and the rights of content owners.
Simon Bennett, Partner and Head of Commerce and Technology at Fox Williams, said:
“The use of protected works to train AI systems without consent raises serious legal and commercial questions. Copyright law exists to protect investment in original content. Where that content is used at scale without permission, rights holders are entitled to seek clarity and, if appropriate, redress.”
IPG chief executive, Bridget Shine, said in a press release:
“AI-powered infringement is a seismic threat to independent publishers, and these warning letters show their determination to respond collectively. This is just the first step in what could be a long and arduous battle to secure proper compensation for infringement and robust protection for the future. Independent publishers know there is great strength in numbers, and we’re pleased to be able to coordinate this demonstration of serious concern and intent.”
Fox Williams partner Simon Bennett, and legal director Scott Steinberg are leading the matter.
Fox Williams has a long-standing practice advising publishers and content-led businesses on intellectual property protection and complex commercial litigation. The firm is also speaking on the legal implications of AI for publishers at the IPG Spring Conference on 11 February 2026.
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