In a series of infographics, we will try to shed some light on the more technical elements of bookselling. This chart illustrates the e-book sales chains, the relationships between various stakeholders in the process, VAT requirements, and other considerations to take into account when selling e-books domestically and across borders.
Following MEP Thun’s report on geo-blocking, EIBF and the European Association of Independent Music Companies Association (IMPALA) expose their views in a joint letter to the MEPs relevant to the dossier.
Both organisations advocate for keeping “services providing access to and use of copyright protected works or other protected subject matter” outside of the scope of the regulation on geo-blocking. They further underline the need for setting the review clause to five years after the entry into effect of the regulation, rather than the two years initially proposed, as this would allow to have more accurate data on the evolution of the e-book market.
Finally, EIBF and IMPALA proposed amendments to the Commission’s proposal in the best interest of their respective sectors’ jobs and investment.
The full text of the letter and of the amendments can be found in attachment.
Between the 25th of July and the 19th of September, the European Commission conducted a consultation under the title “reduced VAT rates for electronically supplied publications”, since these publications are still taxed at a standard VAT rate compared to printed books and newspapers which can enjoy a reduced rate (but higher than 5%) or a super-reduced rate (under 5%).
The Commission is committed to create a legislative proposal that would allow Member states to apply to electronically supplied publications the same VAT rates that Member States can currently apply to printed publications. The objective of the consultation was to invite the public, businesses and representative organisations to share their views on the proposal and its elements. Together with its members, EIBF has contributed an opinion to express the stance of booksellers on creating a fairer taxation system for electronically supplied publications.
You can download the full contribution in attachment.
The German Publishers and Booksellers Association (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels e.V.), the PEN Centre Germany (PEN-Zentrum Deutschland) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporter ohne Grenzen e.V.) call on the German federal government and the EU Commission to make an uncompromising commitment to freedom of expression in Turkey / Online petition at www.change.org/freewordsturkey_en Federal Chancellery lit up with campaign message.
Frankfurt am Main / Berlin / Darmstadt, 29 August 2016 – The Turkish government is currently waging an aggressive campaign against freedom of expression. Since the attempted coup in that country six weeks ago, journalists, editors, publishers and other media and culture-industry professionals critical of the government have been subject to widespread harassment and persecution. At least 60 journalists and authors have been arrested and more than 130 media companies have been shut down, including 45 newspapers, 29 book publishers and 15 magazines. These actions have further exacerbated the already tense situation for journalists, authors and publishers in Turkey.
As a result, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association (Börsenverein) has joined with the PEN Centre Germany and Reporters without Borders to launch a campaign titled “Für das Wort und die Freiheit #FreeWordsTurkey”. Together these bodies are calling on the public to sign an online petition addressed to the German government and the EU Commission. The petition implores Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to take an active and uncompromising stand in favour of freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of the press in the context of any decisions, actions and statements they make moving forward. It calls on them to make it clear that these freedoms are in no way subject to negotiation. The three organisations additionally urge politicians and decision makers to re-evaluate their policies with regard to Turkey and other countries in which freedom of expression is being severely restricted. They also demand that swift and non-bureaucratic support be provided to persecuted journalists and authors, for example by means of emergency visas.
Alexander Skipis, Managing Director of the Börsenverein: “The Turkish government has unleashed a massive attack on freedom of expression. The German government and the EU Commission simply cannot be silent on this subject any longer. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and, as such, is non-negotiable. Politicians and governments have an obligation to confirm their uncompromising commitment to this basic right. We cannot allow freedom of expression to be undermined or instrumentalised for reasons of political expediency. We need to work together to break this silence and send out a clear signal of support for freedom of expression”.
Sascha Feuchert, Vice President and Writers-in-Prison Officer at PEN Centre Germany: “The arrests, intimidation and restrictions imposed on authors in Turkey must stop immediately. We have the right and responsibility to fight on behalf of our colleagues. The targeted measures currently underway against freedom of the press and freedom of expression mean that democracy is under threat not only in Turkey; the inaction of European political forces in the face of these events significantly jeopardises our own democratic values as well. We simply cannot stand by and accept this”.
Michael Rediske, Management Spokesman for Reporters without Borders: “It is simply not an option for us to remain silent in the face of what is happening in Turkey today. Our obligation now is to take a clear stand against the massive persecution of journalists and authors there. Turkish media professionals who are being persecuted need our solidarity and practical support”.
Joint movement of the book and media industry
Publishers, bookstores and other media-related companies are encouraged to join in actively supporting the campaign, for example by featuring images of the “Für das Wort und die Freiheit #FreeWordsTurkey” message on their websites. Bookshops can draw attention to the petition via posters in their stores motivating customers to participate in the coming days. The three organisers are also calling on partner organisations in Germany and abroad to join the campaign and circulate the petition.
Click here to go to the petition
Chancellery lit up with the campaign message
The campaign will feature a number of activities in the public sphere. For example, last Saturday evening, the Federal Chancellery in Berlin was lit up with the campaign message “Für das Wort und die Freiheit #FreeWordsTurkey”. The campaign initiators plan further activities in the coming days.
Press Materials
About the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels:
The Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (German Publishers and Booksellers Association) represents the interests of the German book industry in the political and public arenas. It was founded in 1825 and its current members include roughly 5,000 booksellers, publishers, wholesalers and other media companies. It runs the Frankfurt Book Fair and awards the annual Peace Prize of the German Book Trade and the German Book Prize. It also encourages reading and defends the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to publish.
About the PEN Centre Germany:
The PEN Centre Germany is one of over 140 writers associations belonging to PEN International. Its three letters stand for the words poets, essayists and novelists. PEN was founded in 1921 in England as a literary circle of friends and quickly spread out to other countries across the globe, establishing itself as an advocate for freedom of expression worldwide. Today it is considered to be the voice of persecuted and suppressed writers everywhere.
About Reporters without Borders:
Reporter without Borders (ROB) researches and monitors violations against freedom of expression and freedom of the press worldwide. It alerts the public when journalists and their colleagues are in danger and/or suffering persecution. The organisation works to gain more safety and better security for journalists. It fights both online and offline against censorship, against the use and export of censorship software and against restrictive media laws. The RWB Emergency Commission also supports persecuted journalists and their families, for example, by replacing destroyed or confiscated equipment and by paying fees for lawyers and doctors. When an individual’s life in is danger in their home country, RWB helps them migrate to a secure country. The German branch of Reporters without Borders has been active since 1994 and is part of Reporters sans frontiers, a Paris-based organisation founded in 1985 with a worldwide network of correspondents.
Media contact:
Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels e.V. /German Publishers and Booksellers Association
Thomas Koch, Press Officer, Tel.: +49 (0) 69 1306-292, t.koch@boev.de
Alexander Vieß, Editor Web & Social Media, Tel.: +49 (0) 69 1306-296, viess@boev.de
PEN-Zentrum Deutschland / PEN Centre Germany
Sascha Feuchert, Vice President and Writers-in-Prison Officer, Tel. +49 (0) 641 9929093, Sascha.Feuchert@germanistik.uni-giessen.de
Reporter ohne Grenzen / Reporters without Borders
Ulrike Gruska/Christoph Dreyer, Press Officers, Tel. +49 (0)30 60 98 95 33-55,
presse@reporter-ohne-grenzen.de
C’est ce 22 juin 2016 que l’UNESCO devrait dévoiler le nom de la ville désignée Capitale mondiale du livre 2018 ; un choix qui devrait tenir compte des recommandations de l’association internationale des éditeurs (IPA) et la fédération internationale des associations de libraires (IFLA).
Egalement membre du comité de sélection depuis 2002, l’EIBF (et précédemment IBF) a en effet annoncé sa décision de démissionner, effective ce jour.
« Il nous semble important de partager publiquement les raisons qui nous poussent à ne plus soutenir ce Prix, ou tout du moins les nouveaux critères d’évaluation qui lui seront applicables à partir de cette année » précise Fabian Paagman, co-Président de l’EIBF « L’EIBF a toujours soutenu avec la plus grande fermeté les principes mis en avant dans l’article 19 de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme : Tout individu a droit à la liberté d’opinion et d’expression, ce qui implique le droit de ne pas être inquiété pour ses opinions et celui de chercher, de recevoir et de répandre, sans considérations de frontières, les informations et les idées par quelque moyen d’expression que ce soit. Pour l’EIBF il est donc clair que la liberté d’expression représente un principe démocratique fondamental qui se doit d’être respecté en toutes circonstances et dont l’application n’est en aucun cas négociable. Publier et vendre des livres n’est possible que grâce au respect inconditionnel de ce fondement essentiel qu’est la liberté d’expression.»
Françoise Dubruille, Directrice de l’EIBF, explique: « Démissionner du comité de sélection et quitter mes collègues de l’IPA et de l’IFLA m’attriste profondément. Durant 13 ans, et jusqu’à l’année dernière, nos trois organisations ont mené de vibrantes discussions toujours couronnées de succès afin d’élire la capitale mondiale du livre. A partir ce cette année, suite au remaniement des critères d’évaluation proposés par l’Unesco, notre comité de sélection perd son pouvoir décisionnel et se mue en simple comité consultatif. Tout au long des échanges que nous avons eus avec l’Unesco depuis juin 2015, l’EIBF n’a eu de cesse de rappeler le caractère non négociable du critère de liberté d’expression. Malheureusement, l’EIBF doit constater que son opinion n’a pas été prise en compte et que la liberté d’expression, de publication et de vente de livres n’est pas un critère éliminatoire dans la grille d’évaluation proposée par l’Unesco, en dépit de notre insistance.»
Pour EIBF, la candidature de toute ville prétendant au titre de capitale mondiale du livre est irrecevable dès lors qu’il est de notoriété publique, ce qui est aisément vérifiable en ligne, que la liberté d’expression n’y est pas entièrement garantie.
De par sa nature même, le livre est un puissant facteur d’ouverture d’esprit. Les libraires ont à cœur de remplir leur mission de passeurs d’idées, d’agents culturels facilitateurs d’accès à la culture et au savoir.
La fédération européenne et internationale des libraires souhaite réitérer, une fois de plus, son soutien inconditionnel à la liberté d’expression, de publier et de vendre des livres.
Pour de plus amples informations veuillez contacter la directrice de l’EIBF, Fran Dubruille
fran@europeanbooksellers.eu ou + 32 475 40 32 34
On 22 June, Unesco, with the help of an Advisory Committee composed of the IPA, International Publishers Federation and IFLA, the International Federation of Library Associations, will appoint World Book Capital – WBC – 2018.
EIBF (and formerly IBF) was Member of the Selection Committee since 2002 and has taken the decision to step down from its position in the Committee.
“We do feel the need for expressing publicly the reasons for which we cannot support this Prize anymore, at least with the evaluation criteria which are on the table from this year onwards” said Fabian Paagman, EIBF co-President. “EIBF supports the principles outlined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. EIBF is of the firm view that freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic principle which must be respected in all circumstances. It is the backbone of the publishing and bookselling industries “
Added Françoise Dubruille, EIBF Director: “I am saddened to have to step down from the WBC selection process and leave my colleagues from IPA and IFLA. Until last year, and for 13 years, our three organisations had very fruitful and passionate discussions around WBC applications from all over the world. With the change of rules currently on the table, which makes our committee an advisory one, EIBF feels that it has not been heard, in spite of its repeated messages since June 2015 and that freedom of expression, of publishing and bookselling is not considered a non-negotiable criterion. For EIBF, the absence of freedom of expression is ipso facto an eliminatory criterion in any WBC application and there is no need to refer to any other form of assessment.”
Books convey culture and culture empowers citizens. Booksellers stand for diversity of expression so that everyone can be properly educated and informed. Once again, the European and International Booksellers Federation would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its strong belief in and support for freedom of speech, publishing and bookselling.
For further information please contact EIBF Director, Fran Dubruille
+32 475 40 32 34 or fran@europeanbooksellers.eu
Your Excellency Chief Executive Leung
We, the undersigned free expression advocacy, publishing, and bookselling organizations, write to express our deep concern over the forced disappearances and detentions of four Hong Kong residents and a Chinese-born Swedish national associated with the Mighty Current publishing house. We urge your government to do everything in its power to investigate these cases and demand the release of Cheung Chi-ping, Gui Minhai, Lam Wing-kee, Lee Bo, and Lui Por, who are confirmed to be detained by mainland Chinese police.
Sincerely,
PEN American Center
Independent Chinese PEN Center
American Booksellers Association
Association of American Publishers
Authors Guild
European & International Booksellers Federation
Federation of European Publishers
International Publishers Association
You can read the full letter in attachment.
The American Booksellers Association (ABA), the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the Authors Guild (AG), the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), and PEN American Center (PEN) wish to express their extreme concern over news reports about the disappearance of five employees of a Hong Kong publishing company, Mighty Current, and its bookstore, the Causeway Bay Bookstore. According to these reports, four of the employees disappeared in October, including the bookstore manager. A fifth employee, Lee Bo, was reported missing last week. Mighty Current is well-known for publishing books critical of the Chinese leadership. Mighty Current books are sold by the thousands at the Hong Kong airport and other locations, including the company bookstore in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay neighborhood. They are particularly popular with tourists from mainland China, where the books are banned.
It is widely believed in Hong Kong and abroad that the missing booksellers have been taken into custody by Chinese authorities. Mr. Lee and several of the other missing men have called their families from China. Mr. Lee told his wife he is assisting the authorities with an investigation. The Chinese government has neither confirmed nor denied that the men are in China. However, Global Times, a Communist Party publication in China, recently published an editorial accusing Mighty Current of “stirring up troubles on the mainland.”
ABA, AAP, AG, EIBF and PEN urge the Chinese government to explain the disappearance of the Hong Kong booksellers. If they are in custody, we call for their immediate release. When Great Britain relinquished control of Hong Kong in 1997, China promised to protect freedom of press there for 50 years. The summary abduction of men who are engaged in the publication and sale of books would be a very serious violation of press freedom and would have a profoundly chilling effect on free speech in Hong Kong.
We also urge the United States government to investigate the circumstances of these disappearances and to assist in the release of the men.
Between 06.05.2015 and 30.12.2015, the European Commission conducted a consultation on the topic “regulatory environment for platforms, online intermediaries, data and cloud computing and the collaborative economy”, Stakeholders were invited to answer a questionnaire, to which the EIBF has contributed an opinion expressing the stance of the booksellers on the preferable improvements on the online regulatory environment.
Between the 24th of September and the 28th of December, 2015, the European Commission conducted a public consultation on “Geo-Blocking and Other Geographically-Based Restrictions When Shopping and Accessing Information in the EU”. Since Geo-blocking is a highly important and sensitive area for booksellers, the EIBF has contributed with an opinion on the geographically-based restrictions consumers face when shopping online.
