Library and Archives Canada cracking down on AI books amid copyright threats

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) has updated its ISBN policy to curb the registration of AI-generated books and other content. This move is applauded by Canadian authors and publishers as it safeguards their creative sector while preserving Canada's cultural and heritage identity. ISBNs, used to identify specific editions of books, can help ensure wide distribution and maximize sales potential.

Eligible Canadian publishers can now request free ISBNs for printed books, ebooks, audio books, and educational or instructional DVDs. However, the updated policy restricts AI's role in content creation, allowing it only for limited tasks such as brainstorming, grammar checking, or formatting. By registering with ISBN Canada, publishers declare that their publication was written by a human author, as stated on LAC's website.

The Canadian Authors Association and the Association of Canadian Publishers both welcome the changes, emphasizing their alignment with their values and hopes for stricter policies to protect human-authored creative work. While the federal government's AI strategy from June does not address copyright protections, work on the issue is ongoing.

Canadian officials are actively consulting with artistic and creative sectors on the importance of copyright protection.