About 10,000 writers, including Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory and Richard Osman, have published an 'empty' book to protest against artificial intelligence firms using their work without permission. The book, titled Don't Steal This Book, contains only a list of the authors' names. Copies are being distributed at the London Book Fair on Tuesday, ahead of a UK government assessment on proposed changes to copyright law due by 18 March.
The organiser, composer and campaigner Ed Newton-Rex, said the AI industry was 'built on stolen work … taken without permission or payment'. He argued that generative AI competes with the people whose work it is trained on, robbing them of their livelihoods. The government, he added, must protect UK creatives and refuse to legalise the theft of creative work by AI companies.
Other contributors include Mick Herron, Marian Keyes, David Olusoga and Malorie Blackman. Blackman stated that it is 'not in any way unreasonable to expect AI companies to pay for the use of authors' books'. The book's back cover declares: 'The UK government must not legalise book theft to benefit AI companies.'
Publishers' Licensing Services, a non-profit industry body, is launching a collective licensing scheme at the fair to give legal access to published works. The government's consultation proposes letting AI firms use copyright-protected work unless the owner opts out, sparking outrage among creatives. Elton John has called the government 'absolute losers' over the proposal.
Ministers have also suggested three alternative options: leaving the situation unchanged, requiring AI companies to seek licences, or allowing AI use with no opt-out. The government has not ruled out a copyright waiver for commercial research, which creatives fear could be exploited. A government spokesperson said they want a regime that values human creativity and will update parliament by 18 March.
