A dataset designed to analyse and provide insights into published fiction using AI was sharply criticised for copyright abuse, leading to its closure. 

Prosecraft, known for analysing word usage and writing style markers in novels, faced intense backlash from authors and publishers angry about its unapproved use of copyrighted works within its programme, and highlighted their potential loss of income from the misuse of their works.

Despite using only summary statistics and small snippets from texts, Prosecraft did not have permission to create a database based on entire works or full book texts. 

Its creator Benji Smith shut down the platform after the outcry. In a blog post announcing he was taking down the website, Smith said 'the prosecraft website never generated any income'.

However, writers subscribed to the Shaxpir 4: Pro version at USD 7.99 a month were given access to Prosecraft’s analytical tools. Smith did not reveal what happened to the Shaxpir database.

The incident was seen to highlight legal and ethical issues arising from the use of copyrighted material to train AI systems, and the lack of transparency inherent in many such systems.