In a surprising turn of events, the market for secondhand books has experienced a significant surge, raising eyebrows among independent booksellers. Reports indicate that an unusual influx of bulk orders, often destined for distant warehouses, is reshaping the landscape of book sales. This phenomenon, while beneficial for some retailers, has sparked concerns regarding the fate of many titles, as speculation mounts that these books may be repurposed for artificial intelligence training rather than being cherished by readers.
Unprecedented Bulk Orders
Stuart Manley, the owner of Barter Books in Northumberland, has noted an extraordinary trend in recent months. Typically, his store sells between two to three thousand books weekly. However, a single order from a Canadian firm recently mirrored his usual weekly sales volume. After three decades in the secondhand book industry, Manley expressed astonishment at such a development, stating, “I have never seen the like of this.” He’s not alone, as booksellers across the globe are encountering similar patterns of mega orders, leaving many puzzled about the ultimate destination of their books.
While the surge in sales might appear advantageous, it raises questions about whether these titles are being purchased for the enjoyment of readers or for a different purpose—specifically, to feed the growing appetite of AI systems.
Legal Rulings and the AI Connection
The notion that the increase in secondhand book sales is linked to the burgeoning AI sector can be traced back to a pivotal court ruling in the United States. In 2025, a judge determined that acquiring books for the purpose of training AI software does not violate copyright laws. This decision stemmed from a lawsuit brought against the AI company Anthropic by three authors. Judge William Alsup’s ruling highlighted that Anthropic’s utilisation of these authors’ works was “exceedingly transformative” and therefore permissible under US law.
Recent revelations from court documents have further illuminated the issue, revealing that some books were being destroyed during the training process of Anthropic’s AI chatbot, Claude. A spokesperson for the company clarified that Claude’s training involved a combination of publicly available data and books, asserting that such sourcing methods are standard practice across the AI industry. They emphasised that their data acquisition does not involve the destruction of rare or antiquarian books. Nonetheless, the concept of books being pulped has raised considerable unease within the literary community.
The Ethical Dilemma for Booksellers
David Tobin, who runs Walden Books in north London, echoed the sentiments of many booksellers grappling with this emerging trend. “While it’s encouraging to see titles that have languished unsold for years finally find buyers, it’s disheartening to think they might ultimately be destroyed,” he remarked.
The internal communications from Anthropic’s case, referred to as “Project Panama,” revealed plans to “destructively scan” books, which involves techniques like removing spines to digitise pages rapidly. This method has sparked concern among booksellers who, like Manley, find the mystery surrounding such projects disconcerting. “The name is new to me, but the reality of the project is not,” he noted, expressing confusion over the erratic nature of the orders ranging from obscure texts to popular genres.
Experts in intellectual property, such as Professor Emily Hudson from Oxford University, highlight the stark differences in copyright laws between the UK and the US. In the UK, obtaining permission from copyright holders is a prerequisite for copying material for training libraries, unlike the more lenient US framework.
Navigating the Future of Secondhand Books
For booksellers, the rise of AI-driven demand presents a complex dilemma. Many are apprehensive about the potential for valuable books to be lost forever. Derek Walker, owner of McNaughtan’s in Edinburgh, articulated this concern, noting that while some titles may not warrant preservation, the destruction of unique editions would represent a significant loss to cultural heritage.
Manley acknowledged the practical benefits of recycling books that no longer serve a purpose for readers, suggesting that it might be acceptable to part with surplus copies of popular titles. “Some may have ethical concerns about where the books end up and if they’re destroyed,” he remarked, “but the world no longer needs five million copies of The Da Vinci Code.”
Why it Matters
As the secondhand book market adapts to this evolving landscape, the implications extend beyond mere sales figures. The intersection of literature and technology raises critical questions about the preservation of cultural artefacts in an age increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. Booksellers find themselves at a crossroads, balancing the immediate financial benefits against the ethical responsibility of protecting literary history. The choices made today could well determine how future generations engage with the written word, making it imperative for stakeholders to navigate this complex terrain thoughtfully.
