Part 4/13:
This split hinges on how courts interpret "transformative use." The Meta case sided with the idea that AI training on pirated content can be legal if the content is used in a way that adds new meaning or value. Meanwhile, the Anthropic case insisted that piracy remains illegal no matter the context, sticking closely to traditional copyright law.
The Power and Limits of "Fair Use"
Central to the debate is the doctrine of fair use, a legal defense used to justify certain uses of copyrighted works. However, its application to AI training is highly uncertain. Courts examine four critical factors:
Purpose and character: Is the use commercial or transformative?
Nature of the work: Creative works enjoy stronger protections.