Axel Scheffler considers legal action against AI firms over copyright
BBC One West reports that Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler is seriously considering legal action against AI firms over copyright and has contacted a lawyer in Germany.
How it was covered
- BBC One was the only channel found covering it, concentrating on Scheffler's legal considerations and AI's threat to illustrators.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC Two, Channel 4, GB News, ITV and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
The illustrator behind The Gruffalo, Axel Scheffler, is seriously considering legal action against artificial intelligence firms over copyright, BBC One West reported. He said he wanted AI companies to stop using artists' work without permission.
BBC One West reported that Scheffler had been drawing Gruffalos for 27 years and that the books, written by Julia Donaldson, had sold more than 18 million copies. A lawyer showed him AI-generated images produced from prompts placing the character in Silicon Valley and at Oktoberfest, the report said.
Scheffler said he was shocked by the images. He described one as 'clearly my mouse my gruffalo' and said it was 'a clear kind of theft of copyright'. Asked whether he would pursue a case, he said: 'I've just been in touch with a lawyer in Germany.'
BBC One West said OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is facing a separate copyright lawsuit in Germany. The publisher and illustrator of the children's book Coconut the Little Dragon allege that OpenAI recreated recognisable content and illustrations almost indistinguishable from the originals. The case is due to go to court in spring.
OpenAI said it respected the rights of publishers and content owners. It said it was having productive conversations with rights holders around the world about supporting creativity, including fan art, while protecting intellectual property and responding to copyright complaints, according to BBC One West.
BBC One West reported that the government had announced £2bn of investment in AI from 2026 to 2030. It said copyright laws must protect the UK's position as a creative powerhouse while unlocking AI's potential.
Scheffler said there was an obvious threat to creators and that AI would make it harder to be an illustrator. He recommended drawing by hand and said he hoped it would be more appreciated when AI takes over.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| Axel Scheffler is considering legal action against AI firms over copyright and has consulted a lawyer in Germany. | |
| OpenAI is facing a lawsuit in Germany. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West led on Axel Scheffler's personal reaction to AI reproductions of his Gruffalo artwork and his contact with a German lawyer. It set his possible action alongside a separate German copyright case against OpenAI and the government's AI investment plans. The tone was sympathetic to creators, closing with Scheffler's warning about illustrators' livelihoods and his advice to draw by hand.
- “it's clearly my mouse my gruffalo it's a clear uh kind of theft of copyright”
- “i've just been in touch with a lawyer in germany”
- “i recommend drawing by hand and hopefully that will be more appreciated when ai takes over”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 13:52 GMT
Axel Scheffler, illustrator
BBC News at One including · Wed 4 Nov
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.