Authors Alliance

Hello from AWP 2026 in Baltimore! Come and say hello if you’re here. We have shirts and totes to share.

Markets Markets Markets (Value!) Part of the reason we’re so concerned about fair use being shifted by AI litigation is that, in most ways, we’re deeply appreciative of fair use as it presently exists and has been shaped over the …

Fair use’s fourth factor recognition of markets is not meant to erect walls around the markets for existing works. Instead, it forms part of a flexible standard built to withstand rapid change. Copyright’s purpose is to promote creative expression, not to shield authors from market backlash.

Confidently Incorrect: Misunderstanding “How Much Is Too Much” for Fair Use Of the four statutory fair use factors, the “the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole,” may be the one that generates the most confident wron…

How much is too much? Of the four statutory fair use factors, the third factor, “the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole,” may be the one that generates the most confident wrong answers.

Promotional graphic for an online book talk titled Searches. The layout features muted gray and cream tones with collage-style images. Text reads: “Book Talk. February 26th, 10am PT / 1pm ET. Online.” It invites viewers to join a conversation with author Vauhini Vara about her book Searches, in conversation with Luca Messarra, exploring how technology fulfills and exploits human desires for understanding and connection. The left side includes two portrait photos of the speakers and an illustration of a stack of books.

Slide featuring a still-life painting of flowers, pastries, nuts, and tableware arranged on a table. Text at the top reads: “‘Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age’ by Vauhini Vara,” with a note identifying her as the author of The Immortal King Rao and a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Faded background text discusses how the image metaphorically represents the relationship between technology, AI, and human experience.

📢 TOMORROW!

Learn how tech & capitalism shape human creativity in SEARCHES: SELFHOOD IN THE DIGITAL AGE w/ Vauhini Vara & Luca Messarra.

🎙️📖 A LIVE #booktalk you won’t want to miss.

📅 Thurs Feb 26, 2026
🕙 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET
📍 ONLINE
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/future-kno...

@vauhinivara.bsky.social

Respecting the Second Factor The nature of a work has been reduced to two binary, rather forumulaic questions. In FY2024, the Copyright Office registered around 425,000 works, representing an important and representative slice…

Like Rodney Dangerfield, the second factor gets no respect. It deserves better. Judge Pierre Leval neatly summed up the view of nearly every court that has taken up a fair use question: “The second factor has rarely played a significant role in the determination of a fair use dispute.”

A Comprehensive Review of Post-Warhol Appellate Decisions on the First Factor Warhol v. Goldsmith (2023) marked the very first time the Supreme Court opined exclusively on a SINGLE fair use factor. Considering the importance of fair use under US copyright law, it is also sur…

As a part of the Fair Use week celebrations, we are writing a week of posts on the fair use statute. Today we explore the first factor, the purpose and character of the use, through Warhol v. Goldsmith, which marked the first time the Supreme Court opined exclusively on a single fair use factor.

Fair Use Week (Sec. 107) Fair uses are not simply excused infringements; they are never infringements in the first place. They are implied in the grant of copyright. Fair use is integral to the fabric of the law—you can no…

Happy Fair Use Week, everyone! We love fair use. We use it every day, and you probably do, too. As a part of the Fair Use week celebrations, we are extending our series on the 50th Anniversary of the Copyright Act of 1976 to include a week of posts on Section 107 of Title 17, our fair use statute.

🎬📚 Just dropped: MYSTERY COPYRIGHT THEATER 2026!

The @authorsalliance.bsky.social crew riff on works that entered the #publicdomain, untangling the weird, wild, and confusing world of #copyright law with irreverent but relevant commentary.

Full short👇
archive.org/details/mct2...

#PublicDomainDay

Copyright’s Angsty Teenager Stage (Section 104) Much as it did in other aspects of its interactions with the world, U.S. copyright learned that if it wanted to win the game, it needed to play the game.

The path to Section 104 began in 1891, with Congress’s first act to protect foreign authors. Under that law, and later under the 1909 Revision, a country’s authors received national treatment only if the president issued a proclamation granting protection.

Notes from a Recent Authors Alliance Workshop: DMCA §1202 and Attribution Standards for AI On Feb 5, 2026, we hosted a workshop on DMCA §1202 and Attribution Standards for AI. In brief, we wanted to have a conversation about how attribution standards should be developed and implemented i…

On Feb 5, 2026, we hosted a workshop on DMCA §1202 and Attribution Standards for AI. Without attribution we lose the ability to interrogate and scrutinize research. If AI models move away from verifiable systems and undermine our ability to trust information, the results will be catastrophic.

Event announcement graphic with a dark gray textured background and illustrated books along the right edge. White text reads: “February 26th, 10 am PT / 1 pm ET, ONLINE.” Below: “Join us for a book talk with Vauhini Vara, author of Searches, in conversation with Luca Messarra, on how technology fulfills—and exploits—our human desire for understanding and connection.” Logos for the Internet Archive and Authors Alliance appear at the bottom.

Promotional graphic for an online book talk titled “Searches.” The design is a four-panel collage featuring two author headshots and illustrated stacks of books. At center left is a photo of Vauhini Vara; at lower right is a photo Luca Messarra. Text reads: “Searches” and “Book Talk,” with “with Vauhini Vara & Luca Messarra.”

📚 How does tech shape our desire to understand & connect?

Join award-winning journalist & author @VauhiniVara.bsky.social for a LIVE #booktalk on SEARCHES: SELFHOOD IN THE DIGITAL AGE w/ co-host Luca Messarra.

📅 Thu Feb 26, 2026
🕙 10 AM PT
📍 ONLINE
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/future-kno...

The recording from our #PublicDomainDay virtual event is now available!

🕵️ Investigate THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING COPYRIGHT to learn which works entered the #publicdomain—and why copyright is more complicated than it looks.

Watch the full recording ⤵️
archive.org/details/the-...

Fair Use Week Congressional Briefing Hosted by ARL and Re:Create — Association of Research Libraries Join the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Re:Create Coalition for a congressional staff briefing in Washington, DC, during Fair Use Week. The briefing will highlight perspectives on AI and....

🗓️ On Wednesday, Feb. 25 @arl.org & Re:Create are hosting a congressional briefing panel that will provide perspectives from legal and policy experts on AI and fair use. Learn more about the event and register here: www.arl.org/event/fair-u...

A collage of 16 covers titled "Future Knowledge," each featuring different people and episode topics related to technology, information, and society.

🎙️ Have you heard Future Knowledge?`

This #podcast from the Internet Archive ( @Archive.org ) & Authors Alliance ( @authorsalliance.bsky.social ) explores how knowledge is created, shared & preserved in the digital age.

Listen & subscribe ⤵️ Over 20 episodes out now!
🎧 futureknowledge.transistor.fm

Turtles All The Way Down (Sec. 103) There are a bunch of things going on in Section 103. One of the most interesting to me is the introduction of layers of copyright. What happens when a work is built on previous material? Section 10…

The next stop in our tour of the Copyright Act is Section 103, which is where the Copyright Act considers secondary works. What happens when a work is built on previous material? Section 103 provides the answer.

Promotional graphic for an online book talk titled Searches. The layout features muted gray and cream tones with collage-style images. Text reads: “Book Talk. February 26th, 10am PT / 1pm ET. Online.” It invites viewers to join a conversation with author Vauhini Vara about her book Searches, in conversation with Luca Messarra, exploring how technology fulfills and exploits human desires for understanding and connection. The left side includes two portrait photos of the speakers and an illustration of a stack of books.

📚 How do our searches shape who we are, and who profits?

Join Vauhini Vara for a LIVE podcast recording and #booktalk on SEARCHES, co-hosted by Luca Messarra.

📅 Thurs Feb 26, 2026
🕙 10am PT / 1pm ET
📍 ONLINE
🎟️ blog.archive.org/event/book-t...

@authorsalliance.bsky.social @vauhinivara.bsky.social

Check Out Our New Open Data FAQ Open Access to research data is an important component of many Open Access initiatives. Open Data allows research to be verified and replicated. It also helps build transparency, accountability, an…

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Open Data Resources page, designed to help researchers, librarians, and research support professionals navigate the increasingly complex landscape of data sharing:

Red event flyer with white text announcing an online talk on February 10th at 10am PT / 1pm ET. Text reads: “AI isn’t magic—it’s tools we build and govern. Join author Caroline de Cock for a talk on cutting AI hype, exposing myths & shaping policy, with Glyn Moody (Walled Culture).” Authors Alliance logos appear at the bottom, with an illustration of stacked books on the right.

Book cover for AI Tools, Not Gods by Caroline De Cock. Subtitle reads “Why Artificial Intelligence Hype Threatens Global Governance—and How to Fix It.” The cover shows a small toy-like robot holding a wrench and pliers against a white background, with bold red and black title text.

Red promotional graphic titled “AI Tools, Not Gods – Book Talk.” The layout is a grid with two portrait photos of speakers, stacks of books, and bold red blocks. Text reads “with Caroline De Cock & Glyn Moody.” The overall design uses red, white, and gray tones.

⏰ TOMORROW ⏰

Join us #LIVE for a Future Knowledge #Podcast recording: AI TOOLS, NOT GODS.

It's a timely conversation cutting through AI hype and policy myths, focused on evidence, accountability & real-world impact.

📆 Tues Feb 10
🕙 10 AM PT
📍 Online event
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/future-kno...

Fair Use Week Congressional Briefing Hosted by ARL and Re:Create — Association of Research Libraries Join the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and Re:Create Coalition for a congressional staff briefing in Washington, DC, during Fair Use Week. The briefing will highlight perspectives on AI and....

Join ARL & @recreatecoalition.bsky.social for a congressional staff briefing during #FairUseWeek, Wed Feb 25 in DC, on #AI & #FairUse!

RSVP: bit.ly/FUW26briefing

@authorsalliance.bsky.social @nyulaw.bsky.social @eff.org @bb.usefairuse.com @davehansen.bsky.social @ktrendacosta.bsky.social

Red promotional graphic titled “AI Tools, Not Gods – Book Talk.” The layout is a grid with two portrait photos of speakers, stacks of books, and bold red blocks. Text reads “with Caroline De Cock & Glyn Moody.” The overall design uses red, white, and gray tones.

Book cover for AI Tools, Not Gods by Caroline De Cock. Subtitle reads “Why Artificial Intelligence Hype Threatens Global Governance—and How to Fix It.” The cover shows a small toy-like robot holding a wrench and pliers against a white background, with bold red and black title text.

Red event flyer with white text announcing an online talk on February 10th at 10am PT / 1pm ET. Text reads: “AI isn’t magic—it’s tools we build and govern. Join author Caroline de Cock for a talk on cutting AI hype, exposing myths & shaping policy, with Glyn Moody (Walled Culture).” Authors Alliance logos appear at the bottom, with an illustration of stacked books on the right.

🎙️ Join us for a FUTURE KNOWLEDGE #PODCAST LIVE RECORDING: AI TOOLS, NOT GODS

Featuring Caroline De Cock, LL.M., Head of Research at information labs.A clear-eyed look at how AI narratives influence real laws.

📆 Tues Feb 10
🕙 10 AM PT
📍 Online event
🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/future-kno...

#booktalk

Copyright’s Umbrella (Sec. 102) Section 102 maps the general contours of what is included, and then of what isn’t covered. Section 102 tells us what is covered by copyright in broad strokes, and then shows us (and courts) how to …

There is a quiet revolution that takes place in Sec. 102. For nearly two centuries, U.S. copyright was only available for a class of work when Congress explicitly chose to provide it. The first Copyright Act applied only to maps, charts, and books.

www.authorsalliance.org/2026/02/06/c...

Legal Pathways to Open Access Legal Pathways to Open Access is a joint project of Authors Alliance and SPARC to study critical issues in access to scholarly research. Among the goals of the year-long project are a series of whi…

We have 3 must-read papers & valuable resources created w/ @authorsalliance.bsky.social on
1) #OpenAccess & U.S. Federal Information Policy;
2) The Legal Basis for Federal #PublicAccess Mandates;
3) Federal Grants & Institutional IP policies.
Download now: www.authorsalliance.org/legal-pathwa...

An image reading the statement "The Future is Diamond" alongside the logo of the Open Journals Collective.

We've officially launched! With our new #DiamondOpenAccess investment campaign to help libraries build a sustainable, community‑led future for scholarly publishing & support journals flipping away from costly subscription models. Read the Press release here drive.google.com/file/d/10Hgf...

You Keep Using That Word . . . (Sec. 101) This is the latest in our series of posts marking the 50th anniversary of the Copyright Act of 1976. To find a list of all the posts in this series, click here. The first thing you read when you op…

The first thing you read when you open Title 17 is the first thing you'll read when you open many sources of law—definitions, an appropriate place to start our exploration of the Copyright Act.

www.authorsalliance.org/2026/01/30/y...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Understanding NSF's PAPPG Update. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. On February 2nd, SPARC will host a webcast in collaboration with Authors Alliance to walk through the changes to NSF's Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that includes new public...

Join us on Feb. 2 at 3pm ET for a webcast w/ the @authorsalliance.bsky.social. We'll provide an overview of the NSF publication & data sharing policies in the Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide released Jan. 22. Get a policy overview + time for Q&A. sparcopen-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

What happens when we build a commons-based, scholar-led publishing landscape?

On this episode of the Future Knowledge #podcast, @SamuelMoore.org & @HJoseph.bsky.social discuss PUBLISHING BEYOND THE MARKET & reimagining open access.

🎧 Tune in ➡️ futureknowledge.transistor.fm/episodes/pub...

AI Class Action Litigation Update (Books): Where things stand in early 2026 Since 2022 we’ve seen 75 AI copyright lawsuits filed. The Bartz v. Anthropic settlement has been among the most high profile, and it has made many authors wonder if there are similar settlements on…

Since 2022 we’ve seen 75 AI copyright lawsuits filed. This post surveys the current AI book lawsuits, several of which are on the verge of important decisions about whether, like Bartz, they can proceed as class action lawsuits representing the rights of millions of authors:

One List to Rule Them All (Preface) This is the first in our series of posts marking the 50th anniversary of the Copyright Act of 1976. To find a list of all the posts in this series, click here. And we’re off on our retrospect…

And we’re off on our retrospective of the Copyright Act! Though it’s tempting to start at the beginning of Title 17, with Section 101, we’re going to start with the preface:

A great talk with @glynmoody.bsky.social about his book. Thank you for this great series, @archive.org, so proud to take part.

How a NY Court Botched Basic Copyright Law in James v. UMG Termination of Transfer Case Some of the recordings up for termination in James v. UMG Under US copyright law, authors have one right that is emphatically inalienable: the right to terminate 35 years after a copyright grant. U…

Under US copyright law, authors have the right to terminate 35 years after a copyright grant. A recent decision from the Southern District of New York, however, construed the termination right so narrowly that—if upheld by higher courts—would leave authors with very little to terminate.