OpenAI's ChatGPT is now refusing requests to generate text that directly mimics the style of famous authors, according to testing conducted by Ars Technica this morning. When asked to write in a specific author's style, the AI model instead offers responses that capture a "similar feeling" while remaining distinct in its own voice. The change comes as OpenAI continues to defend against multiple lawsuits from book authors alleging large-scale copyright infringement by AI models trained on their work. In one test this morning, ChatGPT declined to write in Stephen King's exact style, stating it could write with "hallmarks of atmospheric, character-driven horror" while remaining original. The distinction between copying an "exact style" versus capturing an overall "feeling" may prove legally significant, as US copyright law generally protects specific expressions rather than intangible stylistic elements.
ChatGPT Declines Stephen King Style Requests in Morning Tests
This morning, Ars Technica received a response to a test prompt asking for a story introduction in the style of Stephen King. ChatGPT stated: "I can definitely write with the hallmarks of atmospheric, character-driven horror and small-town dread, but I can't write in Stephen King's exact style or closely imitate his distinctive voice. Here's an original opening that captures a similar feeling while remaining its own..."
In testing, ChatGPT generated similar responses for other authors both living and dead. The AI declined to directly copy the styles of living authors including J.K. Rowling and Amy Tan, as well as deceased authors such as Charles Dickens and Ernest Hemingway. In each case, ChatGPT offered to capture an overall "feeling" by incorporating common features found in those authors' work rather than directly imitating their distinctive voices.
No Latency Analysis Finds Different Treatment for Living and Deceased Authors
An analysis published by No Latency earlier this month found ChatGPT's behavior differs based on whether authors are living or deceased. The analysis found the same refusal behavior for living authors but found ChatGPT complied with style-copying requests for deceased authors.
The shift from directly copying an "exact style" to capturing an overall "feeling" may appear subtle but could carry legal significance. ChatGPT's new approach incorporates broad qualities of famous authors "while remaining distinct in its own voice," according to the responses generated in testing.
OpenAI Faces Author Copyright Lawsuits Over Training Data
OpenAI continues to fight a number of lawsuits brought by book authors alleging large-scale copyright infringement by models trained on their work. One of those suits specifically cites ChatGPT's "uncanny ability to generate text similar to that found in copyrighted textual materials." An OpenAI spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Ars Technica.
In the US, copyright law generally protects only a specific expression of an idea, not the more intangible style of an author. However, an AI-generated stylistic imitation could become infringing if it becomes "substantially similar" to the work of the original author.
"We've never had a situation in which this personal style of individual creators could be imitated as well and as inexpensively as we now have with AI," George Washington University Law School Professor Robert Brauneis told Bloomberg Law.
FAQ
What did ChatGPT change about how it responds to author style requests?
ChatGPT now refuses to directly mimic the "exact style" of famous authors. Instead, it offers to capture a "similar feeling" by incorporating broad qualities of those authors while remaining distinct in its own voice. This morning, when Ars Technica tested a Stephen King style request, ChatGPT declined to write in his exact style but offered to write with "hallmarks of atmospheric, character-driven horror and small-town dread."
Why is the distinction between copying style and capturing feeling legally significant?
US copyright law generally protects only a specific expression of an idea, not the more intangible style of an author. However, an AI-generated stylistic imitation could become infringing if it becomes "substantially similar" to the work of the original author. The change comes as OpenAI continues to defend against multiple lawsuits from book authors alleging copyright infringement, with one suit specifically citing ChatGPT's "uncanny ability to generate text similar to that found in copyrighted textual materials."
