For this very particular project I agree the reaction seems exaggerated, even though it does walk the thin line of copyright infringement. But as it happens, it rides the wave of all other AI project which started small then headed we know where. Because once your book is in the database of company X you can bet safe money they will take it and continue their "analysis" as much further as they like because hey you did not complain - and I believe you must defend yourself in order to keep the copyright.
The response to this undermines my ability to take the “backlash” against AI as anything other than innumerate, mob idiocy. It’s hard to prevent myself from being negatively polarized against the backlash when people in the backlash defend outrage against obviously innocuous things like this.
