2 chapters across the catalog
The Internet Archive and its founder Brewster Kahle face multiple lawsuits from record labels over the digital preservation of 78 RPM records from the early 20th century. Despite many of these recordings being obscure or out of print, labels claim performance rights violations. Collectors argue that digitizing these fragile discs is essential for cultural preservation, as the physical media degrades with every playback.
Brewster Kahle of the Internet Archive discussed the potential for AI to make digital libraries more interactive and searchable. Despite ongoing copyright lawsuits in the U.S., the organization continues to archive over a billion URLs daily, with the Wayback Machine now hosting 900 billion pages. The archive also preserves unique collections, such as 78rpm records and the recently deleted MTV News digital archives.
