Authors’ texts are indispensable for AI Large Language Models, but they receive no compensation. The Dutch Writers’ Guild (Auteursbond), the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) and the Lira Foundation have sent a formal demand letter to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and developer of the AI model Llama. In the letter, they request that Meta immediately cease the unlawful use of copyrighted work of Dutch writers, translators and journalists in the training of its AI models.
According to Liesbet van Zoonen, president of the Auteursbond: “We are not opposed to Large Language Models, but the AI industry is a multi-billion dollar business, which is now illegally using and taking over the work of writers, translators and journalists. That has to stop. It stands to reason that they need to start paying. Authors are not a free resource for AI.”
Thomas Bruning, general secretary of the NVJ, adds: “Without our work, there is no AI. Fair compensation is essential to ensure that journalists and writers can continue their work. Their work is indispensable for the development and innovation of Large Language Models. Without that foundation, these models will lose their relevance and quality.”
Demand: cease unlawful use of texts and enter into discussions on an appropriate arrangement
Meta has used large quantities of copyrighted material from illegal datasets in the development of its AI models. These include books, articles and other texts that have been copied and distributed without the permission of the creators. Permission was not sought from the creators concerned, nor was any remuneration paid. This is in breach of copyright and undermines the economic and creative position of writers, translators and journalists. In addition, Meta is pursuing significant commercial interests with these AI models, and expects to realise major economic returns in the future. This stands in sharp contrast to the position of creators, who risk being sidelined by systems trained on work that has actually been stolen from them.
Therefore, on 27 February 2026, Auteursbond, the NVJ and the Lira Foundation sent a demand letter to Meta demanding that the company cease using illegal data sources and offering AI models trained on them in Europe. They are also calling on Meta to enter into discussions with them on an appropriate arrangement for the lawful use of copyrighted works in AI training.
About the organisations and the collective approach
As a collective management organisation, Lira safeguards the rights of thousands of Dutch authors. Together, the Auteursbond and the NVJ represent a large proportion of professional writing creators in the Netherlands, including many freelancers. They are working together on this demand letter, because the scale of AI modelling means that a suitable arrangement with Meta and other AI companies can only be arranged collectively. Obtaining individual consent from each creator, or negotiating individual remuneration, is not feasible in practice. A collective arrangement through Lira allows for transparent and efficient licensing, clear conditions of use, and fair remuneration for writers, translators and journalists.
Source: EFJ
