OpenAI’s ChatGPT now refuses user requests to directly imitate the writing styles of specific authors. The chatbot instead offers to generate original text that captures a general feeling or broad qualities of an author's work.
This strategic shift follows multiple high-profile copyright infringement lawsuits against OpenAI and its partner Microsoft. Authors, author groups, and publishers allege the company illegally trained AI models on vast libraries of copyrighted books without permission.
Legal complaints specifically highlight the AI’s ability to replicate source material. While U.S. copyright law typically protects specific expression over style, this restriction may impact ongoing legal disputes.