On May 5, 2026, Meta Platforms encountered a significant legal challenge as major publishers filed a lawsuit against the tech giant in Manhattan federal court. The plaintiffs, including Elsevier, Cengage, Hachette, Macmillan, and McGraw Hill, allege that Meta exploited their copyrighted works without authorization to train its AI model Llama.
The lawsuit claims that Meta pirated millions of works, which notably include textbooks and scientific articles. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and permission to represent a larger group of rights holders — an indication of the widespread concern over intellectual property rights in the age of AI.
This legal action opens a new front in the ongoing battle between creators and tech companies over AI training. As Maria Pallante stated, “The large-scale infringement committed by Meta does not constitute public progress.” This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among content creators who feel their work is being appropriated without fair compensation.
Meanwhile, Charles Alloncle faces separate accusations from AC !! Anti-Corruption regarding ‘illegal taking of interests’ and ‘influence peddling.’ The complaint has been forwarded to financial prosecutor Pascal Prache. If convicted, Alloncle could face up to five years in prison and a €500,000 fine.
The charges against Alloncle stem from allegations that he used pre-drafted questions from Lagardère News during parliamentary hearings — raising serious questions about parliamentary ethics. Jérôme Karsenti emphasized the urgency of this complaint, noting the “absolute impunity” surrounding Alloncle’s actions.
As these events unfold, it’s clear that both Meta and Alloncle are at pivotal junctions. The outcomes could set significant precedents in both copyright law and political accountability. Observers will be watching closely as these cases progress through the legal system.
