The latest Open Road podcast features an interview with HarperCollins ceo Brian Murray. The conversation includes ample discussion of the intersection of AI and book publishing. On the AI licensing deal for backlist nonfiction books that Harper offered to authors and agents starting last November, Murray reports that, “So far, the vast majority of authors that we have spoken with have opted into it, but it’s their choice. At HarperCollins, we ourselves see ourselves as trying to find a way forward. It’s a little bit like threading a needle — where you want to protect copyright, protect IP, you want […]
NYT’s Copyright Infringement Claims Against OpenAI Will Go To Trial
The NYT’s well-drafted copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft has survived the defendants’ motions to dismiss and the primary claims will go to trial. Filed in the New York’s Southern District, the order was granted by Judge Sidney Stein, who did grant with prejudice a motion to dismiss unfair competition by misappropriation claims, while also striking other modest claims from various related lawsuits. Judge Stein’s brief order indicated he “will issue an Opinion setting forth the reasons for this ruling expeditiously,” with a schedule for proceedings to come thereafter.
Book By Muzzled Author on Facebook Sells 60,000 Copies
Publisher Flatiron Books says that Sarah Wynn-Williams’ CARELESS PEOPLE sold 60,000 units across all formats in its first week on sale. Circana Bookscan shows tracked hardcover sales of just over 18,500 copies. Last week Meta won an interim award from an emergency arbitrator ordering the author to not make any “disparaging, critical, or otherwise detrimental comments” about Meta, effectively blocking her promotion of the book. But Wynn-Williams failed to appear at the hearing or even send an attorney to answer Meta’s complaint.
Meta Spars with Flatiron Over Forthcoming Book
NBC reports extensively in advance on revelations in Sarah Wynn-Williams’s CARELESS PEOPLE, publishing Tuesday. They note that, “Meta filed an emergency request for a hearing before an arbitrator Saturday, arguing that Wynn-Williams had violated a nondisparagement agreement and seeking ‘injunctive relief barring disparagement.’” NBC says Meta lawyer Jonathan Cohn wrote to publisher Flatiron Books on Friday, claiming that the marketing copy suggested the embargoed book featured “overheated, false, and potentially defamatory allegations.” Cohn asked for an opportunity to suggestions revisions. Flatiron Books said in a statement: “This book is a first person narrative account of what the author herself witnessed. […]
Only Two Buyers Compete for WH Smith High Street Stores
Two companies that specialized in troubled retailers — Alteri and Modella Capital — are the reported bidders for WH Smith’s high street stores. Sky News suggests that, “a definitive deal could be announced at the time of WH Smith’s interim results in April.” The parent company announced the sale plans at the end of January. Sales in the division have been shrinking for many years now, and books have comprised a smaller portion of the revenue mix. A recent report in the Times indicated that management had concluded it was “unlikely” they would allow the new buyer to license the […]
Najafi Sells Author Solutions
The former leader in self publishing Author Solutions has been sold by the Najafi Companies, to Center Street Ventures. Najafi took Author Solutions off of Penguin Random House’s hands at the end of 2015. Penguin had acquired the business for $116 million in mid-2012 from Bertram Capital — about 3 months before Penguin and Random House agreed to merge.