Microsoft Is HarperCollins’ AI Licensee
Bloomberg’s Hannah Miller and Dina Bass reported that Microsoft is the large tech company that has a licensing deal with HarperCollins for nonfiction books to train AI models, “according to a person familiar with the matter.” That person indicates, “Microsoft wants the HarperCollins books for a model that it hasn’t yet announced…. The company isn’t planning to use the content to generate new books without human authors, the person said.” Harper Collins had said previously in a statement that their licensing deal authorized “limited use of select nonfiction backlist titles for training AI models to improve model quality and performance.”
Authors Guild CEO Says Harper “Struck A Good Deal” for AI Licensing
Authors Guild ceo Mary Rasenberger and her staff have been actively engaged in representing authors’ interests in the battle to take back control of copyrighted work in an AI world, and monetize those rights if they choose. Speaking to PL about Harper’s new deal to license a body of backlist nonfiction works to a large AI company for authors who elect to consent, and with certain contractual guardrails in place, Rasenberger told us: “We really appreciate that Harper has taken the initiative and thought through how to protect works and keep AI from taking away from any existing value of […]
People 11/19
Microsoft Launches 8080 Books
Microsoft has launched 8080 Books, an imprint that will “publish original research, ideas, and insights at the intersection of science, technology, and business, and in doing so, help advance the discourse and debate,” according to the charter on their website. “Our initial focus for titles includes: technology and the future; business process and productivity, and societal priorities in law, ethics, and policy.” Named for an early microprocessor, 8080 Books aims to publish print and ebooks faster than traditional publishers. According to Geekwire the company is working with Ingram for POD and distribution. Microsoft vp of communications strategy Steve Clayton will […]
Amazon Tries A Belated Response to Spotify’s Free Audiobook Listening
As Spotify discernibly grows the audiobook market with their inclusion of 15 hours of audiobook listening per month as part of their premium subscriptions, Amazon has responded with their own similar offer. In a press release on Tuesday, they announced that Amazon Music subscribers in the US, UK and Canada can listen to one full audiobook per month as part of their Unlimited plan, at no additional cost. They say it’s available across the full Audible catalog of over 1 million audiobooks.