Romance novel covers tend to follow a familiar playbook. They often feature dramatic lighting, striking couples, flowing fabrics, and bold typography. With so many covers sharing similar traits, it can be hard to tell when one is copying another or simply drawing from common genre themes.

A new lawsuit filed by freelance artist Robert Santora against Hachette Book Group brings that question into sharp focus. Santora alleges that Hachette used artificial intelligence to create newer Sandra Brown book covers that closely mimic designs he originally created for the author. He claims the newer covers borrow the same overall “look and feel” he developed, including Brown’s name in a large sans-serif font and a cleaner, more unified aesthetic that had not been present on earlier covers.

According to Santora, the AI-generated covers used key elements from his original work without permission or payment, and he claims this copying went beyond general style and involved specific artistic choices that are protected under copyright law.

Santora's claims may face some headwind. Copyright does not protect ideas or general design trends, and the use of a large font or making a cover look “sleek and modern” is not enough to claim infringement. But when an artist combines even unprotectable visual elements in a particular way, such as with a specific layout, composition, color arrangement, and font placement, that overall design can qualify for copyright protection if it reflects creative choices.

Santora will need to show that his original covers featured original, unique combinations of elements that together amount to protected expression, not just typical romance branding and imagery. He must also prove that the newer covers copied those same combinations in a way that was not coincidental or based only on common themes and practices within the genre.

For publishers and designers, this case highlights the need to tread carefully when using AI tools trained on prior works. If an AI model is fed artwork created under contract, and the output replicates the distinctive look of that material, there may be real legal exposure.

As courts begin to address questions raised by AI-assisted design, this case could offer guidance on what types of visual expression are protectable in a crowded field like romance publishing. Even in a genre full of familiar imagery, there is still room for originality, and that originality may deserve protection.