ChatGPT blocks requests to copy famous authors' writing styles
OpenAI has modified ChatGPT so it will not comply with prompts that ask it to imitate the distinctive style of a specific writer, whether the author is alive or deceased. Independent tests by Ars Technica, Engadget and Fast Company confirmed that the model refuses to generate text in the voice of Stephen King, John Steinbeck and other well‑known authors, instead offering an original passage of comparable length.
The update comes after a wave of copyright lawsuits against AI firms and a recent $1.5 billion judgment against Anthropic. OpenAI says the change ensures the service “inspires” rather than directly reproduces protected literary expression, addressing legal concerns while still allowing users to request general stylistic guidance without naming a particular author.
Entities: Anthropic · ChatGPT · John Steinbeck · OpenAI · Stephen King
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The restriction applies to both living and deceased authors. (OpenAI)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fast Company observed similar behavior for John Steinbeck prompts. (Fast Company)
- [● 2 SOURCES] OpenAI updated ChatGPT to refuse requests to emulate the style of specific authors. (OpenAI)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ars Technica tests showed ChatGPT would not generate text in Stephen King's style. (Ars Technica)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] OpenAI states the model now aims to inspire rather than directly reproduce copyrighted expression. (OpenAI)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The change follows a $1.5 billion copyright judgment against Anthropic and other writer lawsuits. (OpenAI)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Engadget replicated the same refusal for Stephen King requests. (Engadget)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] When refusing an author‑style request, ChatGPT provides an original alternative text. (OpenAI)