Publishers and Authors Sue Google, Alleging Gemini Used Copyrighted Works for AI Training

The legality of training data for large language models has become a major source of controversy amid the rise of generative AI. Because AI training requires vast amounts of text, technology giants frequently use copyrighted books without authorization. This case directly challenges Google’s alleged repurposing of digital materials originally intended for book search or sales services to train its commercial Gemini AI model. The dispute could reshape the legal boundaries of copyright fair use across the global AI industry.

On July 13, 2026, publishers including Hachette Book Group, Cengage Group and Elsevier, along with author Scott Turow, filed a class-action lawsuit against Google in federal court in New York. The plaintiffs allege that Google unlawfully used their books to train Gemini. The complaint says Google had assessed its potential exposure to fines at $10 billion to $100 billion. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to halt the infringement, destroy the copies and award damages.