Lawsuit Targets Anthropic Over Use of Elvis Presley’s Music
The owners of Elvis Presley’s music rights have filed a lawsuit against Anthropic, accusing the company of using 274 of Presley’s songs to train its AI model, Claude. The lawsuit demands a permanent injunction preventing further use of these tracks and seeks damages that could total up to $41.1 million. Among the disputed songs are some of Presley’s biggest hits, including:
- "Can't Help Falling in Love"
- "Don't Be Cruel"
- "Return to Sender"
- "(You're the) Devil in Disguise"
The plaintiffs claim that potential damages amount to $150,000 for each of the 274 songs involved. Anthropic, which has faced previous lawsuits over copyright infringement, denies these allegations. A spokesperson for Anthropic stated:
"We dispute these claims and intend to vigorously defend this case," said the Anthropic representative.
Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Challenges
Earlier this year, in July, Anthropic settled a class-action lawsuit for $1.5 billion related to the unauthorized use of pirated books. In August, the company also faced legal actions from Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music over the unapproved use of copyrighted works.
The AI model at the center of this case, Claude, has also shown promising applications outside of music. Within 64 hours, it generated over 318,000 protein designs aimed at neutralizing scorpion venom, with 17 of these designs successfully passing lab tests for binding to neurotoxins. This research involved partnerships with Citrini Research, Adaptyv Bio, and Twist Bioscience, testing 211 selected protein constructs.
This lawsuit highlights the increasing tension between intellectual property protections and the rapid advancement of AI technologies. As AI tools are used more frequently to process and analyze creative works, questions about legal boundaries and fair use are becoming critical. The outcome of this case could set important precedents on how AI can engage with copyrighted material without infringing on creators’ rights.
This ongoing legal battle underscores a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies like Anthropic are not only facing copyright claims but are also proposing legislative measures to address the complexities of AI deployment. For instance, Anthropic has introduced a bill aimed at empowering courts to restrict AI models that pose significant risks. Such developments highlight the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with intellectual property rights.