In a recent development within the ongoing legal battle over artificial intelligence and copyright, Google has urged a California federal judge to deny publishers Hachette Book Group and Cengage Learning’s request to intervene in a class-action lawsuit concerning the use of copyrighted materials for AI training. Google contends that these publishers should initiate their own legal proceedings rather than “hijack” the existing case.
The original lawsuit, filed in 2023 by a group of illustrators and writers, alleges that Google engaged in extensive copyright infringement by copying millions of books to develop and train its generative AI product, Gemini. The case is currently before Judge Eumi K. Lee in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In January 2026, Cengage and Hachette sought to join the lawsuit as class representatives for publishers, aiming to represent all publishers whose rights have been similarly infringed. They argue that their participation would provide critical expertise and evidence to support the claims against Google. ([publishers.org](https://publishers.org/news/publishers-move-to-intervene-in-class-action-suit-against-google-for-generative-ai-product-gemini/?utm_source=openai))
Google’s opposition to this intervention is based on the assertion that the publishers’ involvement would complicate the existing proceedings. The company suggests that if Hachette and Cengage believe their rights have been violated, they should file separate lawsuits rather than joining the current class action. This stance reflects Google’s broader strategy to manage the scope and complexity of legal challenges it faces regarding its AI training practices.
This legal maneuvering occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over the use of copyrighted materials in AI development. In September 2025, AI company Anthropic agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement with authors who alleged that their works were used without permission to train AI chatbots. This settlement, which awaits final judicial approval, is considered a landmark resolution in the growing legal disputes over copyright use in AI training. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/f294266bc79a16ec90d2ddccdf435164?utm_source=openai))
The outcome of the current case involving Google, Hachette, and Cengage could have significant implications for the publishing industry and the development of AI technologies. It raises critical questions about the balance between innovation in AI and the protection of intellectual property rights. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders across the tech and publishing sectors will be closely monitoring the court’s decisions and their potential impact on future AI development and copyright law.