Anthropic settlement

Photo Credit: Dan Wayman

A little over one week after receiving preliminary approval, the $1.5 billion Bartz v. Anthropic settlement is moving forward with an online claims form and an estimated August 2026 initial payouts distribution.

These and other details surfaced in a notice to possibly eligible publishers and authors, who can also learn more about the settlement via a newly launched website.

Said website includes a searchable database of the included works – referring here to the many books that Anthropic allegedly pirated via Library Genesis and Pirate Library Mirror. That point’s especially important given that the class notice has yet to reach all who might be entitled to a piece of the settlement.

“We are still gathering some Class Members’ contact information and will continue sending notice by mail and email until November 24, 2025,” the settlement administrator spelled out.

Additionally, the same site features an option for online claims; technically, class members can also request a physical form by calling (877-206-2314) or writing to the settlement administrator if so inclined. And valid online claims must be submitted before March 23rd, 2026, ahead of a scheduled final approval hearing the following month.

Subsequently, claimants may begin receiving payments by August 2026, as initially mentioned.

However, the involved attorneys described this as an estimated timetable, and the top-line compensation of “approximately $3,000” per eligible work doesn’t account for legal fees.

Regarding those fees: Lawyers representing the plaintiffs intend to move for “up to 25% of the Settlement Fund, and for reimbursement of…costs and other expenses.” On the other hand, Anthropic won’t receive any of its $1.5 billion payment back; a smaller number of claims could ultimately result in a larger per-work payout.

Of course, we’ll have to see where the cards fall on that front. But more immediately, the settlement – funds from which are also set to reach many in and around the music world, per the database – is certainly interesting from the perspective of industry litigation against AI giants.

Perhaps most notably, this litigation includes a pair of musician-led proposed class actions against AI music generators Suno and Udio. The major labels are also suing (and possibly exploring settlements with) the companies, while several music publishers remain entangled in a copyright confrontation with Anthropic.

Apparently, the authors’ Anthropic case is impacting the publishers’ suit. In the latter action, both sides yesterday sought the judge’s “intervention in resolving a dispute” concerning a discovery request for “Anthropic employee deposition transcripts and corresponding exhibits from the Bartz v. Anthropic litigation.”