# Anthropic says statute of limitations bars Shakespeare suit

Published: 2026-09-19T18:03:16.291Z · Source: Chat GPT Is Eating the World (https://chatgptiseatingtheworld.com/2026/09/19/anthropic-says-bartz-class-opt-out-shakespeares-copyright-claims-are-now-barred-by-the-3-year-statute-of-limitations-must-be-dismissed/)
Source date: 2026-09-19
Entities: anthropic, ai-litigation

Anthropic has moved to dismiss copyright claims brought by authors who opted out of the Bartz class-action settlement in Shakespeare v. Anthropic, arguing the claims are barred by the Copyright Act's three-year statute of limitations — the window for filing suit after discovering the infringement. The motion, filed Sept. 18, 2026 in the Northern District of California before Judge Pitts, cites this and other grounds for dismissal, per Chat GPT Is Eating the World, which obtained the brief.

Why it matters: It's a test of whether authors who opted out of Anthropic's Bartz book-piracy settlement can still pursue their own copyright claims — a fight other opt-out plaintiffs in the training-data litigation may also face.

## What this answers

**Is Anthropic trying to get the Shakespeare copyright lawsuit dismissed?**

Yes — Anthropic filed a motion on Sept. 18, 2026 arguing that copyright claims from authors who opted out of the Bartz class settlement are barred by the Copyright Act's three-year statute of limitations, the deadline for filing suit after discovering the infringement, per Chat GPT Is Eating the World.


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