Microsoft Faces Lawsuit Over Use of Pirated Books to Train AI

Today’s ESG Updates

• Microsoft Sued Over Use of Pirated Books to Train AI: Authors allege Microsoft used 190,000 pirated books to train its AI.
• Poland Updates Green Bond Framework Ahead of First Issue Since 2019: New rules align with ICMA standards as green bond return nears.
• NatWest and NAB Launch Climate Data Platform for SMEs: FourTwoThree helps small businesses track emissions and climate impact.
• Malaysia Forms Taskforce to Comply with EU Anti‑Deforestation Law: Committee aims to boost export traceability for EU market access.

Authors Sue Microsoft Over AI’s Use of Pirated Books

A group of renowned authors—such as Kai Bird, Jia Tolentino, and Daniel Okrent—has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court, alleging Microsoft trained its Megatron AI model on nearly 200,000 pirated books without permission. They claim the AI can mimic the style, syntax, and themes of their work. The plaintiffs seek an injunction and up to $150,000 per infringed book. This case is part of a wave of similar legal actions targeting tech firms like Meta, Anthropic, and OpenAI, following a recent court decision in California on the limits of “fair use.”

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Further reading: Microsoft sued by authors over use of books in AI training

Poland Revamps Green Bond Strategy, Eyes First Issue Since 2019

Poland’s finance ministry has updated its green bond framework to comply with ICMA’s 2021 standards as it prepares to issue its first sovereign green bond in six years. The eligible projects include renewables, energy-efficient buildings, green transport, and sustainable water management. Parliament also approved easing onshore wind-farm regulations to boost renewables, but the move faces political opposition. Poland continues investing in nuclear projects, targeting its first reactor by 2036.

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Further reading: Poland updates green bond framework ahead of possible first issuance in six years

NatWest and NAB Back FourTwoThree Climate Platform for SMEs

NatWest Group, NAB, and SC Ventures have jointly funded FourTwoThree, a climate-data management platform aimed at helping SMEs measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions. Built on AWS and incorporating PointSource Technologies, the tool automates carbon footprinting and climate strategy, integrating with existing banking infrastructure. It empowers enterprise clients to guide their SME networks in adopting sustainable practices, tapping into an estimated $50 trillion climate transition finance opportunity.

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Further reading: NatWest, NAB, SC Ventures Back New SME-Focused Climate Data Management Platform FourTwoThree

Malaysia Creates Committee to Comply with EU Anti‑Deforestation Law

Malaysia has formed a specialized committee under its commodities ministry to prepare for the EU’s anti‑deforestation regulation, which becomes effective in December 2025. The committee’s mission is to qualify Malaysia as a “low‑risk” country and bolster supply chain traceability for key exports—palm oil, timber, rubber, soy, beef, cocoa, and coffee. Under the EU law, importers must verify that products did not contribute to deforestation, with violations resulting in substantial fines. The initiative aims to ensure Malaysia’s continued access to EU markets and protect its producers by mitigating regulatory and economic risks tied to the new environmental standard. Businesses can keep updated on developments with ESG tools.

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Further reading: Malaysia’s sets up committee to strengthen response to EU’s anti-deforestation law

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: BoliviaInteligente