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Anthropic’s landmark $1.5B copyright settlement is approved

Published

1 month ago

July 21, 2026

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Anthropic can finally start cutting checks to a group of authors and book publishers that sued the AI lab over copyright infringement. A federal judge gave final approval Monday of Anthropic’s landmark $1.5 billion settlement of a class action copyright lawsuit, Reuters reported.

Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary approval of the settlement last year, after ruling that Anthropic had illegally downloaded and stored millions of copyrighted books.

Alsup has since retired and Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin signed off on the settlement on Monday.

The payout will deliver $3,000 per work across an estimated 500,000 works, shared among the authors and publishers who hold rights to them. While the settlement is believed to be the largest in the history of U.S. copyright law, many authors and creators still don’t view it as a win.

That’s because of how the legal question was resolved. Alsup sided with Anthropic on the core issue. He ruled that training an AI model on copyrighted text counts as fair use — a decision widely seen as a turning point for the AI industry. But the ruling didn’t excuse how Anthropic obtained the books in the first place. Anthropic had built its training library from two sources: books it purchased and scanned (fine), and books it downloaded from pirate sites like Library Genesis and Pirate Library Mirror. Alsup found the second method illegal on its own terms and said that piracy question could go to trial; Anthropic agreed to a settlement soon after to avoid a trial and whatever damages a jury might have awarded.

While the final approval closes out this case, it doesn’t settle the legal question industry-wide because Alsup’s ruling was a single district court decision, and Anthropic’s decision to settle means the case will never reach an appeals court to become binding precedent.

Other judges are still free to reach their own conclusions on their own facts, which is exactly what’s playing out elsewhere. There is still a string of copyright lawsuits against companies such as Google, Meta, Midjourney, and OpenAI over whether it’s legal to train AI models on copyrighted works. Just last week, a group of publishers and authors, including Hachette, Cengage, Elsevier, author Scott Turow, and S.C.R.I.B.E. filed a class action lawsuit against Google over accusations that the company used their copyrighted works to train its AI platform, Gemini.

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Related Topics:1.5B Anthropics Approved copyright Landmark settlement

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EuroMatch NPFL: From Imo Pride To NPFL Spotlight — Akuchie Obinna Turns Debut Into a Clean-Sheet Spectacle

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1 hour ago

September 3, 2026

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WhatsApp Image 2026 09 03 at 6.00.52 PM.jpeg

For Akuchie Obinna, this was more than just another football match.

It was a moment to step onto the biggest stage in Nigerian domestic football and show that the Pride of Imo had a goalkeeper capable of standing tall when the spotlight arrived.

Making his first-ever EuroMatch NPFL appearance for Kun Khalifat FC on Matchday One, Akuchie immediately gave supporters something to talk about, producing a confident performance in the goalless draw away to Abia Warriors.

And when the game demanded a hero, the young goalkeeper answered.

With Abia Warriors pushing for a late winner, Akuchie remained composed between the posts, making crucial saves to protect his side and complete a memorable NPFL debut with a clean sheet.

The biggest drama came late.

Israel Joseph found himself with an opportunity to break the deadlock, but Akuchie stood in the way, producing a crucial save that ensured Kun Khalifat returned home with a valuable point.

That is the kind of debut goalkeepers dream about.

No goal conceded.
Big saves when it mattered.
A point secured on the road.
And then came the recognition.

Akuchie’s impressive performance earned him a place in the Sport Hub Team of the Week, adding another layer of glamour to what had already been a standout introduction to the EuroMatch NPFL.

For a player beginning his top-flight journey, the script could hardly have been better.

First NPFL appearance. First clean sheet. First Team of the Week selection.

From the heart of Imo to the bright lights of the EuroMatch NPFL, Akuchie Obinna has given football fans a name to watch.

And if Matchday One was the trailer, Kun Khalifat’s goalkeeper may just be preparing for a very entertaining season.

Business

NAICOM Launches ISSP to Deepen Penetration, Boost Confidence

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2 hours ago

September 3, 2026

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Nigerian Insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), on Thursday in Abuja launched the Insurance Sector Strengthening Programme (ISSP), a new initiative aimed at accelerating the transformation of the industry and Nigeria in general.

The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, disclosed this today in Abuja during the official unveiling, he said the programme responds to persistent challenges facing the sector, including low insurance penetration despite Nigeria’s large economy, widespread underinsurance, limited public awareness of insurance products, and untapped opportunities among women, youth, and small businesses.

According to him, the ISSP is built around six pillars: Advocacy and Policy, Awareness and Education, Capacity Building, Gender Inclusion, Youth Engagement, and MSME and Value Chain Development.

He noted that the programme places strong emphasis on public education and financial literacy, arguing that insurance uptake is closely tied to consumer trust and understanding.

He further highlighted plans for professional training to strengthen technical expertise across the industry, alongside targeted efforts to bring more women and young people into the insurance space through tailored products and career opportunities.

He said the initiative would extend risk protection to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as key drivers of employment and economic productivity but currently underserved by insurance.

The Commissioner linked the ISSP to the broader Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Agenda (NIIRA 2025), stating that it supports goals such as deepening penetration, enhancing professionalism, strengthening consumer protection, and increasing the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

While pledging NAICOM’s continued support for innovation, Omosehin stressed that growth must be matched by strict adherence to prudential standards, transparency, and prompt claims settlement, adding that market expansion would not be permitted at the expense of solvency or public trust.

He described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for insurance in Nigeria, one built on collaboration among regulators, operators, professional bodies, development partners, and the media to expand access and rebuild public confidence in the sector.

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