Anthropic could buy millions of books because we had already let them go
Every time I move home, I understand the appeal of streaming. Books are heavy, records are fragile and boxes of films and games seem to multiply as soon as the movers arrive. In the UAE, where moving between apartments – or countries – is a familiar part of life, a library that fits on a phone is an easy sell. But any flirtation with going digital-only dissipates when I read the news. Have you…
In the UAE, where moving between apartments or countries is common, a library that fits on a phone is appealing. However, concerns arise when news of Anthropic, an AI company, spending tens of millions of dollars to digitize millions of second-hand books captures attention. After the process, the spines are removed, and the pages are scanned and recycled.
This practice has stirred worry among second-hand book sellers in the UK and Ireland, as they receive orders for obscure and scarce titles from unclear sources. Anthropic denies any connection to acquiring rare or antiquarian books, but the company's actions have raised concerns about ownership and preservation. In the US, a judge ruled that converting legally purchased copies into digital versions for internal use was legitimate, but digital purchases often come with limited rights, such as not being transferable or inheritable.
Streaming services, game platforms, and music services have shifted towards digital-only models, leaving users with limited control over their media. The author reflects on the value of physical books, recalling how growing up in a house filled with books fostered curiosity, connections across history and culture, and a lifelong pursuit of learning.
Unread books serve as reminders of potential interests, and their presence in the home can inspire further exploration.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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