The hottest Copyright Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Paul McCartney Invents a New Kind of Protest Song

The Honest Broker • 22308 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. Paul McCartney led hundreds of musicians in releasing an album of empty studio recordings as a protest against AI, with proceeds going to help musicians.
  2. Prominent creators like Vince Gilligan and Guillermo del Toro openly reject AI as a form of creative theft and a threat to human artistry.
  3. Major companies are striking deals with AI firms and settling lawsuits for profit, undermining artists' rights and creating a new culture war whose outcome may depend on audiences and stronger copyright enforcement.

Reform has a point (about this one, very specific thing)

Odds and Ends of History • 201 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
🎙 Podcasts Copyright
  1. Changing how political control works in the Civil Service could have real benefits and is worth a calm, open debate instead of instant rejection.
  2. A local playground being unusable for kids for two years shows how everyday public services can get stuck and cause real frustration for communities.
  3. Text and data mining sits at the heart of the ongoing AI vs copyright debate, and we need clear rules that balance innovation with protecting creators' rights.

Writers Against AI

The Abbey of Misrule • 1013 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
📚 Literature Copyright
  1. AI is becoming able to write novels, poems, and scripts that may be indistinguishable from human work, threatening to devalue and replace human storytelling. This risks saturating culture with machine-made stories and eroding what it means to create and understand real human narratives.
  2. Writers and readers can choose to resist by refusing to use AI, refusing to support AI-produced work, and actively backing creators whose work is entirely human-made. A grassroots pledge and visible symbols let people signal that commitment and build mutual support.
  3. The rise of AI brings wider social and security dangers — from mass copyright theft to outsourcing intellectual labor and the prospect of systems that outpace human control. These stakes mean individuals and communities must deliberately set limits and protect spaces where human culture and agency can survive.

In Defense of Fanfic

David Friedman’s Substack • 233 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
📚 Literature Copyright
  1. Most fanfiction is low quality, but that’s true of most fiction, so readers should focus on finding the fan authors they like.
  2. Using someone else’s world or characters isn’t automatically less creative, because many respected works build on earlier worlds and fan authors often must invent missing details themselves.
  3. Fanfiction raises legal and moral questions when it uses characters against their creator’s wishes, but it also helps new writers get started and lets readers continue enjoying beloved stories.

How Much Money Does Silicon Valley Make from Stolen Video?

The Honest Broker • 8810 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Silicon Valley companies like TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook are making a lot of money from videos, often using content that isn't theirs. This raises questions about the legality of these practices.
  2. While a parent faced copyright issues putting a video of their child online, these platforms allow users to share stolen content without trouble. It seems unfair that big companies overlook larger violations but enforce rules strictly on individuals.
  3. The endless scrolling of videos on these platforms relies on old clips and copyrighted material, creating a cycle of content that profits Silicon Valley, even if it comes from illegal sources. They benefit without directly paying the original creators.
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Is Spotify Streaming Unauthorized AI Knockoffs of Dead Musicians?

The Honest Broker • 6050 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. Spotify has been accused of streaming fake songs made by AI that are labeled as creations of deceased musicians without permission from their estates.
  2. There are strange occurrences at Spotify, like the CEO taking another job with an AI military startup and claims of drug sales happening through Spotify podcasts.
  3. Recently, Spotify took action against a specific case of AI-generated songs, which shows they might be starting to address their problems with misleading content.

The Don't Cha Edition

Why is this interesting? • 542 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. The original recording was darker and more experimental than the radio hit, and critics noticed how unique and artful it sounded.
  2. A dispute over rights led the original performer to relinquish the song, after which the label reworked it into a polished pop version and gave it to a mainstream act.
  3. The original still gets rediscovered and appreciated, showing how production choices and legal control can completely change a song’s character and reception.

Take My Books, Please

Dada Drummer Almanach • 129 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Many published books were scraped into AI training datasets without authors' knowledge or permission, prompting writers to join a class-action lawsuit.
  2. The case settled for $1.5 billion, but the AI company denied wrongdoing and kept its fair-use stance, while estimated payouts are small per title and many works were excluded from payment.
  3. The outcome mirrors how streaming devalued recorded music by narrowing which creators get paid, and it pushes writers toward offering work directly to readers and relying on subscriptions or direct support.

Generative AI’s Continuing Copyright Problems, an Essay in Memory of Suchir Balaji, 1998 - 2024

Marcus on AI • 7035 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Generative AI is raising big questions about copyright. Many people are unsure if the way it uses data counts as fair use under copyright laws.
  2. There have been cases where outputs from AI models were very similar to copyrighted material. This has led to lawsuits, showing that the issue isn't going away.
  3. Speaking out against big tech companies can be risky. There needs to be more protection for those who voice concerns about copyright and other serious issues.

Is a YouTuber Using Copyright Lawsuits to Silence Speech?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1552 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Copyright
  1. Copyright laws are being misused by some big creators to silence smaller creators, which is a concerning trend.
  2. Powerful companies have long used copyright claims to stifle speech, but now this tactic is being adopted by individuals.
  3. The recent fallout in the right-wing community shows how conspiracy theories can divide and confuse, especially when major claims are debunked.

Anti-Copyright Extremists

Dada Drummer Almanach • 173 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. A non-profit project scraped Spotify’s metadata and audio, and Spotify publicly labeled that project as an “anti-copyright extremist.”
  2. Spotify now withholds royalties from tracks with fewer than 1,000 annual streams, leaving roughly 175 million of about 202 million tracks without payments from the platform.
  3. The situation highlights a clash: a huge, profit-driven streaming company that changed royalty rules versus a nonprofit focused on preserving and providing open access to culture, both positioned as opposing traditional copyright in different ways.

Dream Plagiarism

Opaque Hourglass • 419 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📚 Literature Copyright
  1. Dreamt lines of poetry belonging to another poet in your dream are considered plagiarism.
  2. Dreaming of poetry is seen as a unique act of copyright infringement.
  3. Belief in the connection between dreams and copyright can lead to complex ethical dilemmas.

Surface Noise

Dada Drummer Almanach • 9 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. Analog recordings keep both the music and the marks of their use — surface noise, tape hiss, and studio sounds — and those imperfections make listening feel tactile and time‑bound.
  2. Digital formats remove physical friction and surface noise, giving cleaner sound and huge libraries, but that intangibility often encourages skipping and shallower listening instead of close, time‑rich attention.
  3. New technologies from the player piano to magnetic tape and multitrack recording transformed how music is made and edited, enabling creative splicing and overdubs while also introducing limits like tape hiss and prompting changes in copyright law.

That Little Question of Humanity…

Technically Optimistic • 59 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Celebrities like Scarlett Johansson are facing challenges with AI replicating their voices and likenesses without consent, raising important questions about ownership and rights.
  2. Actors like Clark Gregg are advocating for the protection of their biometric data, pushing for the rights to own and control their scans, and be compensated for their use.
  3. The intersection of technology and personal identity is a complex issue that prompts reflection on what it means to be human in a world where even famous personalities are at risk of having their identities manipulated.

Thoughts About a Mouse

Cybernetic Forests • 199 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. The concept of copyright, especially related to AI and generative technology, is facing significant challenges and debates as seen in the case of Mickey Mouse entering the public domain.
  2. The extension of copyright laws, influenced by powerful entities like Big Tech and Disney, has complicated the landscape of creative ownership, legal protection, and digital expression.
  3. There is a growing need for proactive data rights, decentralized digital infrastructure, and a reevaluation of the role of copyright in shaping the future of technology and community interactions.

How much is the news worth?

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. ChatGPT can be valuable for what it can do and what it knows.
  2. The use of copyrighted content is important for the development and functionality of AI models.
  3. Legal battles over copyrighted material can impact the future development and usage of AI technologies.

Data Laundering: How Stability AI managed to get millions of copyrighted art works without paying artists [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 219 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Data laundering involves converting stolen data to be used illegally or sold as legitimate data.
  2. Tech companies, like Stability AI, can get around artist copyright by using creative methods with AI art.
  3. It's essential to ensure fair compensation for artists and creators whose work is used, and to establish better regulations for copyright protection in data usage.

My non-prediction for generative AI in 2024

ailogblog • 119 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. The energy consumption of generative AI for tasks like image generation and question answering can be significant.
  2. The use of generative AI may impact freelance job opportunities for illustrators and writers.
  3. There is uncertainty about the future of generative AI, with questions about its social costs, technological advancements, and ethical considerations.

Notebook: (2) The AI We Live Now

Book Post • 176 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. AI companies need to figure out a business model to support writers and publishers
  2. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are affecting the visibility of original writing
  3. Regulations and disclosures are being developed to address AI-generated content and protect consumers

Thomson Reuters wins early AI copyright case

The PhilaVerse • 123 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Thomson Reuters won a significant court case against Ross Intelligence for copyright infringement. They claimed Ross used their legal content without permission for AI training.
  2. The judge ruled against Ross, stating that their use of the content competed with Thomson Reuters and damaged their market value. This decision sets a strong precedent for future AI copyright cases.
  3. Legal experts warn that this ruling could make it harder for AI companies to argue fair use when using copyrighted material. It highlights ongoing concerns about how AI interacts with existing copyright laws.

What Will Happen With AI Music?

The Seat of Loss • 9 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. AI-generated music is becoming popular, and some songs created by AI have even charted. However, major labels use copyright claims to control how AI music is distributed, showing a clear interest in the potential profits from this technology.
  2. Even though the quality of AI music may not satisfy audiophiles, many listeners enjoy it. The success of AI artists can be driven by marketing and industry support rather than complete organic appeal.
  3. The rise of AI in music will change how artists produce music, likely encouraging a shift from recorded music sales to live performances, as fans might pay more to see artists perform in person rather than just listening to recorded tracks.

New decisions in a cloudy world

do clouds feel vertigo? • 99 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. AI is creating new divisions in society, leading to more debates about our future and survival. It's making conversations about technology very heated and complex.
  2. Deepfakes and manipulated images are changing how we perceive reality. We can no longer trust everything we see, which can have big implications for privacy and reputation.
  3. In a world full of uncertainty, having a clear mind and being skeptical about information is essential. Embracing ambiguity instead of fearing it can help us navigate changes better.

The vanity and banality of the Author Online

The Leftovers • 139 implied HN points • 05 May 22
📚 Literature Copyright
  1. The Author Online often struggles with balancing professionalism and personal reification in the digital space, leading to incoherences in their demands for recognition and payment.
  2. Social media can intensify the need for constant self-promotion and oversharing among Authors Online, blurring the line between personal authenticity and commodification.
  3. Some Authors Online are more focused on protecting their income and copyright rather than advocating for broader benefits like Universal Basic Income, which could support a wider range of writers.

The koan of an open-source LLM

Democratizing Automation • 142 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. The definition and principles of open-source software, such as the lack of usage-based restrictions, have evolved over time to adapt to modern technologies like AI.
  2. There is a need for clarity in identifying different types of open language models, such as distinguishing between models with open training data and those with limited information available.
  3. Open ML faces challenges related to transparency, safety concerns, and complexities around licensing and copyright, but narratives about the benefits of openness are crucial for political momentum and support.

How Should Authors Navigate AI and Publishing Contracts?

Notes from a Small Press • 16 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
📚 Literature Copyright
  1. Authors should carefully read their publishing contracts to understand who holds the copyright. Most often, authors keep the copyright but grant publishing rights to the publisher.
  2. When it comes to AI and training sets, contracts may not clearly state the rights regarding the use of an author's work, leading to confusion. Authors might have options to opt out of having their work used in AI training.
  3. The publishing landscape is complicated due to ongoing legal issues and AI's increasing role in content creation. Authors need to stay informed and consider how these changes might affect their rights and income.

Copyright isn't your friend

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Copyright
  1. Copyright laws can hinder access to culture for those who cannot afford books, and book piracy can actually create more readers.
  2. Making a living solely off writing books is tough for most authors, who often rely on other activities like teaching or editing to sustain themselves.
  3. The publishing industry heavily relies on copyright laws, but the quality of literature may not necessarily suffer if there were fewer books published.

Yes, we took your stuff and are making a killing. Why aren't you happy when we offer you scraps?

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. OpenAI is incorporating internet content, including from the New York Times, into its AI models
  2. OpenAI is making deals with publishers to mitigate legal risks and continue using content
  3. The New York Times initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI for using its material without compensation, highlighting the importance of fair compensation in technology innovation

Got to Give It Up

Dada Drummer Almanach • 202 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎶 Music Copyright
  1. Copyright lawsuits in the music industry can have varying outcomes, like with the cases of Marvin Gaye's songs and recent hits.
  2. Ed Sheeran's legal victory in a copyright case highlighted the debate over common elements in music.
  3. Sheeran's argument about pop songs being similar, written quickly, and prone to plagiarism raised questions about the future of AI-generated music and copyright laws.

OpenAI’s “Own Goal”

Marcus on AI • 98 HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. OpenAI's mission of being open-source and collaborative has shifted over the years, leading to concerns about transparency and integrity.
  2. Email communications between OpenAI and Elon Musk raised doubts about the organization's commitment to its stated mission of open-sourcing technology.
  3. Recent incidents of covert racism, copyright infringements, and violent content generated by OpenAI's technology have raised questions about the ethical impact of their work.

Is Big Tech using Data Laundering to cheat artists?[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Copyright
  1. Data Laundering involves converting stolen data to make it seem legitimate for different uses.
  2. Big Tech companies use non-profits to create datasets/models for research, then monetize them into APIs without compensating artists.
  3. There is a double standard between how Tech companies treat music and visual art, with considerations about replicating music, copyright standards, and the ethical aspects of compensation.