Mark Lemley, a Stanford law professor and seasoned attorney, has publicly cut ties with Meta, citing concerns about CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership direction. Lemley, who represented Meta in a high-profile AI copyright case in 2023, announced his decision in a LinkedIn post. He criticized Zuckerberg’s “descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness” as the primary reason for his departure.
“I have fired Meta as a client,” Lemley wrote. “While I support their stance in the generative AI copyright dispute, I can no longer represent them in good conscience.”
As a partner at Lex Lumina, a firm specializing in intellectual property and internet law, Lemley’s decision signals a deeper discontent with the changes taking place under Zuckerberg’s leadership.
The Ongoing AI Copyright Dispute
Lemley and his firm were defending Meta in a lawsuit filed by comedian Sarah Silverman and other authors in 2023. The plaintiffs alleged that Meta’s AI model, Llama, was illegally trained on their copyrighted works.
Meta’s lawyers argued that the case lacked evidence, emphasizing that the plaintiffs failed to prove that Llama generated text resembling their books. While Lemley still supports Meta’s legal arguments in the case, his ethical concerns about the company’s broader trajectory ultimately compelled him to step away.
The case, which has yet to be resolved, remains a focal point in the ongoing debate over AI and copyright law.
Distancing from Meta Products
In addition to cutting professional ties, Lemley has chosen to reduce his personal use of Meta’s platforms. He deactivated his Threads account, describing it as a “Twitter-like site run by a Musk wannabe,” and vowed not to make purchases through ads on Facebook or Instagram.
However, Lemley admitted he still values his connections on Facebook, stating, “While I have thought about quitting Facebook, I find great value in the connections and friends I have here.”
A Firm Sticking to Its Values
Lex Lumina, where Lemley practices, reaffirmed its dedication to ethical decision-making. Rhett Millsaps, the firm’s managing partner, emphasized the importance of integrity in their practice.
“Money can’t buy everyone,” Millsaps said in a statement to Business Insider. “We’re proud to be a firm that doesn’t compromise on values, even though this quality seems increasingly rare in America today.”
Zuckerberg’s Policy Changes at Meta
Since early 2024, Zuckerberg has introduced significant changes at Meta, including removing third-party fact-checking in the U.S. and replacing it with community-driven moderation. The company has also scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
On The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Zuckerberg endorsed a shift toward a more aggressive corporate culture. “Masculine energy, I think, is good,” he said. “Corporate culture was really trying to get away from it.”
These remarks, coupled with policy adjustments, have drawn comparisons to Elon Musk’s leadership of X (formerly Twitter), known for similarly rolling back DEI initiatives and loosening content moderation policies.
Zuckerberg’s Political Alignment Evolves
Observers note parallels between Zuckerberg’s evolving leadership style and Musk’s political leanings. Musk has been outspoken in his opposition to DEI efforts and has aligned himself with right-leaning political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump.
Zuckerberg has been more discreet, but his actions suggest a similar shift. Meta donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and avoided endorsing any candidates in the 2024 presidential race—a stark contrast to Zuckerberg’s earlier criticism of Trump.
In 2020, Zuckerberg expressed his disapproval of Trump’s divisive rhetoric. “I am deeply shaken and disgusted by President Trump’s incendiary remarks,” he stated at the time.
Meta later banned Trump from its platforms following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, citing his praise for those involved in the violence. However, the ban was lifted two years later, allowing Trump to return to Facebook and Instagram.
