{
  "id": 1939042,
  "title": "Anthropic could buy millions of books because we had already let them go",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/anthropic-could-buy-millions-of-books-because-we-had-already-let-them-1939042",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-19T13:01:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/2026/08/19/is-anthropic-destroying-books/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a world where digital convenience outweighs the allure of physical media, Anthropic has found a novel way to acquire vast libraries of knowledge. In 2024, the AI company spent millions of dollars purchasing second-hand books by the million, digitizing their contents and recycling the paper. This Project Panama operation is garnering attention once again, as second-hand book sellers in the UK and Ireland report large orders for obscure, scarce, and out-of-print titles from uncertain sources, leading some to suspect another AI training endeavor. Despite Anthropic's denial, the concern arises from the company's potential ownership of these rare or antiquarian books.\n\nAnthropic's legal rights to convert purchased copies into digital versions for internal use are upheld by a US judge, emphasizing that Anthropic acquired the books \"fair and square.\" However, the nature of digital purchases raises questions. Most people simply click \"buy\" without truly owning the purchased content, as these digital licenses are often non-transferable, resalable, or inheritable. Major companies like Sony and Netflix employ similar terms, relegating digital content to licenses that may vanish along with the parent companies.\n\nIn an age dominated by passive consumption, the author reflects on the value of physical media. Books, records, and discs occupy physical space, prompting deliberate selection and fostering curiosity. Research indicates that home libraries positively impact literacy, numeracy, and digital problem-solving skills. Growing up in a home filled with books nurtured the author's curiosity, connections across history and culture, and a constant thirst for learning. The author's shelves now hold a collection of possibilities, reflecting their diverse interests and the evolutionary trajectory of their intellect.\n\nVinyl records, in particular, offer a unique experience compared to streamed songs. The ritual of placing a record on its sleeve, lowering the needle, and enjoying the physicality of the music creates a stronger connection to the art form. This ritualistic engagement is thought to contribute to vinyl culture's appeal, as it prevents the easy escape into another app. Additionally, Blu-ray players evoke a sense of appointment with films, contrasting the spontaneous nature of streaming.\n\nThe author acknowledges the convenience of digital media but laments the lack of control over the content. Once a licence is granted, it may vanish as companies change their offerings or disappear. Physical media, on the other hand, maintains a sense of ownership and the possibility of rediscovery. Unread books, in particular, serve as tangible reminders of one's intellectual journey and the unexplored avenues of curiosity.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Anthropic could buy millions of books because we had already let them go",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/anthropic-could-buy-millions-of-books-because-we-had-already-let-them",
        "published": "2026-08-19T13:01:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}