The French government is considering presenting an AI bill to parliament that "would protect copyright and reward creators, while giving generative AI developers secure access to reliable data," the Bookseller reported.
In a statement, the Ministry of Culture said the aim is to "move beyond the sterile opposition between innovation and culture, and create a virtuous circle of value creation where everyone finds their rightful place."
A series of consultations launched by minister of culture Rachida Dati last June failed to produce the hoped-for results. One possible measure to be included in the new bill would be a reversal of the burden of proof to establish a "presumption of use of cultural content by AI providers" instead of creators having to prove their content has been used, the Bookseller noted.
"Copyright is the foundation of France's cultural exception and an essential pillar of our digital and creative sovereignty," Dati said, adding that she was "fully committed" to the emergence of "ethical and responsible AI models that are "beneficial for all."
---
With bookstore numbers declining in Japan, there has been an increase in the number of bookstores "renting out shelves to allow book lovers to sell the works they want to recommend, fostering communities of such 'shelf owners,' " the Japan Times reported.
For example, Honmaru in Tokyo's Kanda Jinbocho secondhand bookstore district, has about 360 of these shelves, where the curators, "who are mainly individuals in their 20s to 60s and publishers, pay initial costs, monthly rent, and 5% of sales proceeds to the store," the Japan Times wrote.
Store manager Haru Shimokawa said the appeal of rental shelf bookstores "lies in arrangements of books you never see in conventional bookstores.... You can discover a new world every time. It's like a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, similar to a trip."
The number of bookstores leasing out shelves to individuals began to increase around the 2010s, and there are now about 110 nationwide, said Shimokawa, adding that the biggest advantage of such stores is that "a customer can become a bookseller for just a few thousand yen per month."
---
Travel + Leisure showcased "six indie bookstores in Bangkok that bibliophiles will love," noting: "Indie bookstores here aren't just about selling books; they're mini communities, creative hideaways and places to discover something unexpected. Whether you're browsing for a rare gem, catching a quiet corner to read, or joining a workshop or talk, Bangkok's indie book scene offers a refreshing break from the city's usual chaos."