Authors are reporting disputes over payments from Anthropic's $1.5 billion copyright settlement, as publishers and agents claim a share of the funds. Some authors received emails informing them that someone else was making a claim on their payments. The settlement, approved in July, allows authors of nearly 500,000 titles to receive $3,000 for each pirated work. Payments are split 50-50 between author and publisher if the book is in-print, or go entirely to the author if the book was self-published or rights reverted.

Writers have posted on social media that publishers seem to be claiming more than their fair share. Mystery and thriller author April Henry questioned HarperCollins' actions, noting they claimed a book that reverted over 17 years ago. Victoria Strauss of Writers Beware noted two main categories of complaints: publishers seeking payment for works they no longer own and seeking full payment when only 50% is due. Strauss suggested poor record-keeping might explain some issues, but the volume of complaints suggests a systemic problem.

Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger told The New York Times that she doesn't see this as a publisher grab, attributing the issues to bad record-keeping and a confusing settlement process. Strauss acknowledged that complaints are just a small glimpse, but the repeated nature of the errors indicates a larger issue. Publishers are not the only ones seeking a cut; some literary agencies are also making claims, which Strauss found surprising since agents are not rightsholders.

Courtney Milan, writing on Bluesky, criticized agents for trying to claim percentages on the settlement, stating they should not do so. Milan and the Authors Guild provided guidance on how authors can dispute their payment allocations. A key issue is determining when rights reverted, as the cutoff date for full author claims is August 10, 2022, the 'download date' in the settlement. Authors must ensure their rights reverted before this date to claim full payments.

The situation highlights the complexity of the settlement process and the challenges authors face in asserting their rights. While some attribute the issues to administrative errors, others suggest a broader systemic problem. As the payments proceed, authors are advised to carefully review their claims and seek clarification if necessary. The ongoing disputes underscore the need for clear communication and accurate record-keeping in such large-scale settlements.