Button’s Commitments on Generative AI

As it becomes increasingly transparent that recent developments in AI stand atop the backs of stolen books, art, and other creative property, we believe it is time for publishers, authors, and book lovers to take a stand.

At Button, we believe that human artistry and creativity not only matter, but that they are essential to community and to existence in this world.

Many of these “AI” language tools were developed through the theft of copyrighted material, including hundreds of thousands of books. That usage without the consent and permission of writers is unethical and quite possibly illegal. We are watching and supporting the various lawsuits and efforts brought against tech companies around this theft, and applaud the authors, artists, and others who are fighting this fight.

In the meantime, as a publisher, we want to make public our own stance and commitments.

We are doing this because we believe that when you buy or read a book, you should know that what you’re getting is the real deal. Because we want writers to know we have their backs. And because at the end of the day, human connection is what this is all about. It’s how Button started in the first place — we experienced that intangible magic of a room buzzing with energy, with art, with emotion, with humanity, and we wanted to bring that to the world.

We also hope that in making these policies and commitments, and in making them public, we will encourage other publishers to do the same.

Policies and Commitments:

Button books are human books.

Broadly, Button stands with the Authors Guild’s recommendations and commitments around the use and disclosure of generative “AI” tools, readable here. We will also be including the Authors Guild’s recommended new clauses in our contracts going forward, as listed here.

Specifically:

• All authors who publish with Button, and writers who submit to our contests, already must confirm that a manuscript is their own original work. We are expanding this to include specific language barring the inclusion of content produced by generative “AI” tools.

• Should we discover that we have published something in which a writer violated that commitment, we will take it as seriously as we would take any other form of plagiarism.

• Button will not use artificially generated voices in our audiobooks. All of our audiobooks are narrated by the authors themselves.

• Button will not use artificially generated images in our book covers and designs. 

• We do not permit the use of any part of any books we publish for the training of generative “AI” tools. We are looking into available legal options for affirming this and helping to protect our authors.

• Finally, if for some currently unforeseen reason, any portion of a Button book is artificially generated, Button will disclose this in the book itself, and in any listings and publicity materials.

The world changes fast, and supporting authors means being aware and abreast of those changes. This is where we stand today based on the information we have. Our policies and plans may expand as the world does, and we are steadfast in our commitment to keeping art centered on artists.

We welcome feedback and thoughts on how we can best offer our support.

Sam Van Cook

Founder and Executive Director

Please feel to contact us at support@buttonpoetry.com