GermanyThe article discusses how major AI companies, including Anthropic, are acquiring used books globally to scan them for training their artificial intelligence models, often through intermediaries like 'Zoom Books'. These books are then shredded after scanning. The practice, referred to as 'destructive scanning', has raised concerns among authors and publishers. In January 2024, the Washington Post revealed 'Project Panama', where Anthropic scanned over 500,000 copyrighted books, many obtained illegally from shadow libraries like Library Genesis. While a group of authors successfully challenged the legality of obtaining books through these channels, the court ruled in favor of Anthropic based on the U.S. 'Fair Use' principle. The case ended with an out-of-court settlement involving $1.5 billion paid to publishers and authors. In Germany, the legal framework remains unclear, as the country’s copyright laws apply to scanning physical books, making such practices legally ambiguous. Experts suggest that while owning a physical book grants certain rights, the destruction of books after scanning raises ethical and legal questions.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the issue by discussing both the actions of AI companies and the legal challenges they face. It cites multiple perspectives, including those of authors, publishers, and legal experts, without overtly favoring any particular side. The framing remains objective,
