Apple is facing a lawsuit from neuroscientists Susana Martinez-Conde and Stephen Macknik, who allege that the tech giant used copyrighted books, including their own works, without permission to train its Apple Intelligence AI system. Filed on October 10, 2025, the case seeks unspecified damages and an injunction to prevent further use of the plaintiffs’ intellectual property.

The lawsuit claims that Apple incorporated these books into its AI training datasets without securing proper licenses, raising serious copyright and ethical concerns. The neuroscientists argue that their work, which represents years of research and expertise, has been exploited commercially without consent or compensation. They are seeking legal redress to protect their intellectual property and to ensure accountability for unauthorized use of copyrighted material.

This case comes amid growing scrutiny over AI companies and their training practices, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted content. Legal experts note that the outcome could have broader implications for the AI industry, as companies increasingly rely on large datasets, including books, articles, and other creative works, to develop machine learning and generative AI systems.

Apple, known for its strict policies on user privacy and content rights, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Industry observers are watching closely, as the case may influence how technology companies approach copyright compliance and the ethical use of third-party content in AI development.

The lawsuit underscores the tension between rapid AI innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights. As AI continues to transform industries and generate new applications, creators and authors are seeking stronger legal frameworks to ensure their works are not used without consent. The case against Apple highlights the ongoing debate over how AI systems should be trained responsibly while respecting the rights of original content creators.