AI copyright theft: WGA asks studios to sue tech firms

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called on Hollywood studios to take immediate legal action against tech companies accused of using copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence systems. In response to a recent Atlantic article titled "There’s No Longer Any Doubt That Hollywood Writing is Powering AI," the WGA asserts that tech companies have illegally harvested vast libraries of screenplays and other creative content to fuel AI development.

According to the WGA, these tech companies have exploited intellectual property generated by generations of union writers and Hollywood labor, building AI systems on what they describe as a "foundation of wholesale theft." The result, the Guild argues, is that studios are now being sold AI-powered services that generate plagiarized content derived from stolen works.

In the letter, the WGA accuses studios of neglecting their duty as copyright holders to protect writers' intellectual property. Under the collective bargaining agreement known as the Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA), studios are obligated to defend copyrights on behalf of writers. Specifically, Article 50 of the MBA states that studios hold certain rights "in trust" for writers, giving them a fiduciary responsibility to prevent unauthorized use of creative works, including AI training.

“After this industry has spent decades fighting piracy, it cannot stand idly by while tech companies steal full libraries of content for their own financial gain,” the WGA declared in the letter.

The WGA’s statement highlights a growing tension between Hollywood’s creative workforce and the studios’ relationships with tech giants. The Guild’s demands come amid widespread concern over how AI might disrupt creative industries, potentially undermining the value and livelihood of professional writers.

The Guild has urged studios to act decisively and pursue legal measures against any tech company found to be using WGA members’ works to train AI systems without permission or compensation. This call for accountability underscores the urgent need for clearer regulations and stronger protections in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

As AI technologies continue to advance, the outcome of this conflict could have far-reaching implications for copyright law, intellectual property rights, and the future of creative industries in Hollywood and beyond.