[solidsnack9000]

Allegedly, some companies with deep pockets have paid them for access to their collection. The collection turns out to be useful for training LLMs.

[qingcharles]

Can confirm this is happening. But the money paid is tiny. Think thousands of dollars, not millions. Not enough to keep the lights on. I would assume they do pretty well from donations.

[KeplerBoy]

Never assume anyone does well from donations. That's rarely the case.

[rahimnathwani]

Donors get benefits.

[tkel]

Source on this claim? All their torrents are released publicly. Why would "companies with deep pockets" need to pay them?

[bibabaloo]

Because they have an interest in the ongoing work of archiving of new things I guess

[fmajid]

For fast access

[bombcar]

Paying someone, even a pittance, gives you deniability and a chain of ownership.

Using a torrent of the exact same thing does not.