Shadow Libraries, Licensing Gold Rush

This week on the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans unpacks the fast-moving "shadow library" controversy now reshaping generative AI. After a major court setback for OpenAI, the spotlight is on the allegedly unlicensed books and internet materials used to train large language models (LLM)—and why "chain of title" for data is becoming the next legal battleground. We dig into how a pay-to-license future could trigger a full-blown licensing gold rush, turning clean, cleared datasets into the most valuable asset in AI. Jeremy explains what this means for platform costs, access, and the next wave of dealmaking—especially for entertainment, media, and sports libraries packed with talent NIL and archival content. Finally, we look ahead: possible policy and market solutions (from opt-out training exemptions to rights societies, dataset marketplaces, and even blockchain-verified licensing), and why lawmakers and developers must balance enforcement with public access and innovation. If you care about who gets paid when AI "uses" human creativity—and who gets to build the future—this episode is for you. (Season 7, Episode 47).  Copyright 2025. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.