Anthropic Settles Copyright Class Action for $1.5 Billion
If Anthropic downloaded your ISBN- or ASIN-bearing book from LibGen or PiLiMi, you could receive about $3,000 per qualifying work from this record-setting settlement. Review the criteria below, then visit the official site to register your interest or file a claim before the deadline.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be part of the class if you are:
- The legal or beneficial copyright owner of any book (with an ISBN or ASIN) that appears on the forthcoming “Works List.”
- Registered with the U.S. Copyright Office within five years of first publication (or within three months if registration followed publication).
- Included on the Works List jointly prepared by the parties and approved by the court.
- Located inside or outside the United States—international rightsholders qualify as long as the above criteria are met.
Think your title was scraped? Provide your details through the official intake form to ensure you receive formal notice.
Potential Payments
- Total fund: at least $1.5 billion (non-reversionary).
- Estimated payout: approx. $3,000 per qualifying work before deductions.
- Adjustments: Fund increases by $3,000 for each additional work above 500,000 titles.
- Attorneys’ fees (capped at 25%), expenses, service awards, and administration costs will be deducted from the fund.
Key Dates (projected)
- Preliminary approval: Sept 15 2025
- Notice mailed/emailed by: Nov 14 2025
- Claim filing deadline: Mar 14 2026
- Final approval hearing: Mar 28 2026
- Payments begin: within 28 days of the effective date (estimated late May 2026 if no appeals)
How to File Your Claim
- Gather information for each work:
- Title
- ISBN or ASIN (if known)
- Publisher (if known)
- Proof of copyright ownership/registration
- Attest to your ownership and supply any requested documentation.
- Submit the claim form via the settlement website before the deadline.
Settlement Breakdown
The $1.5 billion fund covers all costs associated with resolving the case:
- Payments to class members
- Attorneys’ fees (≤ 25%) and up to $375 million in expenses
- Service awards for class representatives (≤ $50,000 each)
- Administration costs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Anthropic Copyright Settlement about?
The lawsuit claims Anthropic used copyrighted books obtained from pirate websites to train its AI models without permission. The proposed settlement resolves those claims for at least $1.5 billion.
How much will I receive from the Anthropic Copyright Settlement?
Each qualifying work is expected to yield roughly $3,000 before deductions. The final amount depends on the number of valid claims and court-approved expenses.
Do I need proof of ownership to file?
Yes. Claimants must attest to ownership and may be asked to provide registration certificates or other documentation validating their rights.
When is the claim form due?
The deadline is projected for March 14 2026—120 days after class notice. Submit early to avoid last-minute issues.
Is the settlement final?
No. The court must still grant preliminary and final approval. Payments will be distributed only after the effective date, currently estimated for late April 2026 if there are no appeals.
This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult the official court-approved notice and settlement documents for complete details.