Hachette Book Group et al. v. Google LLC — Gemini AI Training Copyright Class Action (S.D.N.Y. 2026)
United States · Hachette Book Group Inc. et al. v. Google LLC, No. 1:26-cv-05870 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 10, 2026)
Hachette Book Group, Cengage Learning, Elsevier, and author Scott Turow filed a copyright class action against Google in the Southern District of New York on July 10, 2026 (No. 1:26-cv-05870), alleging Google used millions of copyrighted books and academic journal articles without authorization to train its Gemini AI models. The complaint alleges Google misused works supplied for Google Books 'snippet' access to copy full texts for AI training, also sourcing material from pirate websites. An internal Google document cited in the complaint estimates potential copyright exposure of $10 billion to $100 billion. The case is distinct from (and does not overlap with) the existing NYT v. OpenAI and Authors Guild v. OpenAI suits.
Technical detail
Hachette Book Group Inc. et al. v. Google LLC, No. 1:26-cv-05870 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 10, 2026). Plaintiffs: Hachette Book Group Inc., Cengage Learning Inc., Elsevier Inc., Scott Turow (author), S.C.R.I.B.E. Inc. (Turow's company); proposed class of similarly situated authors and publishers. Defendant: Google LLC. Claims: (1) Willful copyright infringement, 17 U.S.C. § 106 — Google copied millions of books and journal articles from Google Books/Play (where publishers supplied works for limited 'snippet' use), pirate datasets, and paywalled academic platforms to train Gemini AI models without authorization; (2) DMCA § 1202 (17 U.S.C. § 1202) — Google stripped or altered copyright management information (CMI) from works to conceal unauthorized AI-training use. Relief sought: statutory copyright damages, permanent injunction against further infringement, destruction of all unauthorized training copies. Internal Google document cited in complaint estimates potential liability at $10 billion to $100 billion. Publishers' Association (AAP) filed a joint press release.
Who is protected: Book authors and academic publishers whose copyrighted works were allegedly used without authorization to train Google's Gemini AI
Who must comply: Google LLC (defendant)
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Status | Blocked / in litigation |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2026-07-10 |
| Enacted | 2026-07-10 |
| Citation | Hachette Book Group Inc. et al. v. Google LLC, No. 1:26-cv-05870 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 10, 2026) |
| Enforced by | Private litigation — U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Statutory copyright damages per work; actual damages; attorney's fees; permanent injunction; destruction of unauthorized training copies sought |
| Topics | copyright and training data · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Last verified | 2026-07-26 |
| Official source | Publishers and Authors File Class Action Lawsuit Against Google for Willful Copyright Infringement to Develop Gemini AI Models — Hachette Book Group ↗ |
More AI rules in United States
- FERC Large-Load Interconnection Orders (RM26-4) · In effect
- HHS § 1557 Rule (AI clinical tools) · In effect
- CMS MA Rule (AI prior auth) · In effect
- FDA PCCP Guidance (AI/ML devices) · In effect
- FDA AI Drug/Bio Guidance · In effect
- CFPB § 1071 Rule (small-biz AI lending) · In effect
Related copyright and training data rules elsewhere
- NYT v. OpenAI / Microsoft · Blocked / in litigation
- Authors Guild v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Tremblay v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Silverman v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
- Kadrey v. Meta · Blocked / in litigation
- Chabon v. OpenAI · Blocked / in litigation
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