The European & International Booksellers Federation- EIBF – is delighted that the Ecofin Council, at its meeting of 26 May, expressed its full support to the lines of action proposed by the Commission in its VAT Action Plan published on 7 April.

Booksellers have embraced the digital revolution and a growing number of booksellers are providing their customers with an e-book offer, on their home market, and increasingly across borders. “The Commitment of the Commission and the Council to reduce VAT compliance burdens for SME’s and micro SME’s, both within Member States and across borders is a real relief” said Fabian Paagman, co-President.

Added co-President Jean-Luc Treutenaere: “ A long battle is on the verge of being won: EIBF has always advocated that books should carry the same VAT rate, independently from their format and we welcome the fact that this is will soon become a reality for the those of the Member States which wish to do so.”

Co-President Kyra Dreher noted “By choosing to apply the principle of subsidiarity, and present a proposal for increased flexibility for Member States, the European decision makers are given a positive sign that the bookselling industry warmly welcomes.”

For further information please contact EIBF Director, Fran Dubruille
+32 475 40 32 34 or fran@europeanbooksellers.eu

Download the PDF version of this press release in attachment. 

The European & International Booksellers Federation- EIBF – has noted with interest the Commission’s proposal for a regulation on geo-blocking made public today.

We welcome the fact that laws of Member States will be applied with respect to sales of books.

We note that the Commission plans to review the possible inclusion of electronically supplied services protected by copyright including e-books two years after the entry into force of the regulation.  EIBF is very happy to co-operate with the European Commission, and provide decision-makers with the information necessary to properly assess the situation for the wellbeing of the bookselling industry and European consumers.

Booksellers have embraced the digital revolution and a growing number of booksellers are providing their customers with an e-book offer, on their home market, and increasingly across borders.  In spite of the fact that the market is indeed extremely limited – only 1% of European readers want to have access to e-books across borders, according to a recent European Barometer- major players on the e-book market are keen to be present on as many markets as possible, for strategic marketing reasons.

While the larger and more mature language markets in the European Union benefit from an organized  and experienced physical and digital distribution system, a significant number of markets are structurally still working hard at  organizing their e-distribution and need more time to build up a performing technical offer.

In addition, some crucial infrastructural issues, like access to fast broadband in European homes and the implementation of a European online debit card system for the benefit of retailers and consumers, still have to be addressed.

EIBF welcomes the opportunity of contributing to this process.

For further information please contact EIBF Director, Fran Dubruille
+32 475 40 32 34 or fran@europeanbooksellers.eu

Impacts fiscaux, immobiliers et fonciers du commerce en ligne
Janvier 2016

RESUMÉ EXÉCUTIF
L’American Booksellers Association et l’agence d’analyses et de stratégie Civic Economics collaborent depuis de nombreuses années dans le but d’examiner et de décrire la situation du commerce de détail indépendant aux États-Unis, Cependant, jusqu’à présent, ce partenariat se concentrait sur les différents types de lieux de vente physiques. Le présent rapport fait entrer ce travail dans une nouvelle ère. Il a pour objectif de fournir aux décideurs et aux consommateurs les clés d’une meilleure compréhension de l’impact par État et sur le plan local de la croissance du commerce en ligne tel qu’il s’est substitué aux achats en magasin.

Alors que les ventes en ligne ont augmenté de manière ininterrompue ces dernières années, les effets de cette croissance sur les communautés ont été peu étudiés. Ce rapport, qui se concentre sur Amazon, numéro un du secteur, s’intéresse à l’impact de ces changements sur le plan fiscal (en termes de recettes publiques) et sur le plan immobilier et foncier (modes d’évolution à l’échelle locale). Il porte sur l’exercice civil 2014, la dernière année pour laquelle des données fiables sont disponibles. Les ventes en ligne n’ont, depuis, cessé de grimper. En outre, comme nous nous sommes limités à Amazon, qui ne représente probablement qu’un tiers, voire moins, de l’ensemble des ventes de détail en ligne, il faut garder en tête que les résultats exposés ici laissent entrevoir des impacts bien plus significatifs à l’avenir.

Pour évaluer ces impacts, Civic Economics a quantifié les ventes d’Amazon par État pour déterminer (a) l’ampleur des taxes sur les ventes non perçues par l’État et les administrations locales et (b) l’impact du passage du magasin physique à la vente en ligne sur les recettes foncières. Près de la moitié des États américains ne perçoivent toujours aucune taxe sur les ventes réalisées par Amazon, tandis que certains autres ne prélèvent que des taxes partielles, ce qui génère un manque à gagner fiscal sur les ventes de 625 millions de dollars sur le plan national. Par ailleurs, nous estimons que le passage au commerce en ligne a entraîné une diminution nationale de la demande d’espaces commerciaux se chiffrant à plus de 10 millions de mètres carrés, soit l’équivalent de 30 000 magasins traditionnels employant 136 000 personnes. Ces évolutions ont conduit à un non-perçu en termes de taxes foncières s’élevant à 420 millions de dollars.

Cumulés, ces deux manques à gagner représentent plus d’un milliard de dollars que les États et les administrations locales du pays entier doivent assumer, et donc compenser par d’autres sources de recettes qui s’avèreront nécessaires pour combler ce déficit élevé et croissant. En outre, tous les quartiers d’affaires et centres commerciaux des États-Unis subiront les effets d’une forte limitation de la demande en matière d’espaces commerciaux.

Pour tout renseignement complémentaire sur cette étude et sur les organisations qui l’ont réalisée, veuillez contacter :

Pour l’American Booksellers Association
Dan Cullen, Responsable stratégique
+1 914.406.7560 ou dan@Bookweb.org
www.bookweb.org

Pour Civic Economics
Matt Cunningham, Associé
+1 773.251.5926 ou mattc@CivicEconomics.com
www.civiceconomics.com

Le lundi 4 avril, une délégation de membres de la Fédération Européenne et Internationale des Libraires (EIBF) a eu l’honneur de rencontrer le président de la Commission Européenne, v pour échanger avec lui sur le futur et le maintien de la vente de livres dans le cadre de la stratégie pour le marché unique numérique.

La délégation de l’EIBF, composée des co-Présidents Fabian Paagman et Jean-Luc Treutenaere, du CEO de l’association des libraires de Grande-Bretagne et d’Irlande, Tim Godfray, de Fernand Ernster, ex-président de la Fédération luxembourgeoise des libraires et de Françoise Dubruille, Directrice de l’EIBF, a souligné que les libraires ont accueilli favorablement les dernières initiatives de la Commission, et en particulier celles qui touchent au Marché unique numérique et à la mise en oeuvre de conditions de concurrence équitables.

Les co-Présidents Fabian Paagman et Jean-Luc Treutenaere ont déclaré: « nous avons vivement apprécié que le Président de la Commission Européenne, comme le Président du Parlement Européen, Martin Schulz – que nous avons rencontré l’année dernière – sont tous deux de fervents défenseurs du livre et qu’ils comprennent la contribution de la chaine du livre, et des libraires en particulier à la société. »

La délégation a été ravie d’entendre que le Président Juncker soutient le droit d’auteur et comprend que le prêt gratuit d’e-books par les bibliothèques publiques aurait un effet néfaste sur les librairies et les bibliothèques elles-mêmes.

Tim Godfray a noté avec plaisir que le Président Juncker allait inciter la Commissaire en charge de la concurrence à prêter attention, non seulement au marché de l’e-book, mais aussi à celui du livre physique, dans le cadre de la plainte déposée par l’Association des Libraires de GB et Irlande contre Amazon.

L’EIBF se félicite que la question du taux réduit de TVA sur les e-books avance positivement et que le Président Juncker ait déclaré que, pour lui, les livres physiques ou numériques devraient avoir le même taux de TVA. En tant qu’amateur de livres et passionné de littérature, M. Juncker a réaffirmé son soutien au commerce du livre et au rôle que les libraires jouent dans la transmission de conseils sincères, pertinents et utiles et dans la promotion de la culture et de la lecture – les bases fondamentales d’une société du savoir.

Pour conclure ce rendez-vous sans précédent, la délégation de l’EIBF a remercié M. Juncker en lui offrant des livres en trois langues différentes, un geste qui représente leur gratitude et la diversité culturelle qu’ils défendent.

On Monday 4 April, a delegation of members from the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) had the honour of meeting the President of the European Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, and discussing with him the future and sustainability of bookselling within the Digital single Market.

The EIBF delegation, composed of the EIBF Co-Presidents, Fabian Paagman and Jean-Luc Treutenaere, the CEO of the Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland, Tim Godfray, Fernand Ernster, former President of the Fédération luxembourgeoise des libraires and the Director of the EIBF, Françoise Dubruille highlighted that booksellers have welcomed many of the Commission’s recent initiatives, especially those related to the Digital Single Market and fairer competition.

Said Co-Presidents Fabian Paagman and Jean-Luc Treutenaere: “it is heartwarming to hear that the President of the European Commission, like the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz – whom we met last year – are both strong supporters of the book sector, and both understand the value that the book community and booksellers in particular bring to society.”

The delegation was delighted that President Juncker supports copyright and understands that free e-lending by public libraries could harm physical bookshops and libraries. Tim Godfray heard with pleasure that President Juncker would encourage his fellow Commissioner in charge of competition not only to look at the e-book market but also at the physical book sector in the complaint lodged by the B.A. of the UK & Ireland against Amazon. EIBF also welcomed the news that the issue of reduced VAT on e-books was progressing positively and that President Juncker himself had always considered that paper and e-books should carry similar VAT rates. As a book lover and a literature enthusiast, Mr Juncker expressed his support to the bookselling trade and to the role that booksellers play in providing the public with unbiased, reliable and informed advice and promoting literacy and reading – the fundamental basis of a knowledge society.

To conclude this unprecedented meeting, the EIBF delegation thanked Mr. Juncker by offering him books in three different languages; a gesture that expressed their gratitude and the cultural diversity that they stand for.

La Fédération européenne et internationale des libraires note avec satisfaction les conclusions de l’enquête menée par la Commission européenne dans le secteur du commerce électronique, et en particulier en ce qui concerne le blocage géographique.

Kyra Dreher, directrice générale de la Commission des libraires pour le Boersenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels et co-présidente d’EIBF de déclarer : « J’apprécie à sa juste valeur que la Commission comprenne que le blocage géographique relève de décisions stratégiques d’entreprises qui ne souhaitent pas vendre par-delà les frontières, et aussi que la Commission reconnaisse qu’un tel comportement, de la part d’entreprises qui ne sont pas en position dominante sur le marché, ne relève pas du droit européen de la concurrence. Le marché du livre numérique est un marché fragile, à très faibles marges, et vendre au-delà des frontières n’est tout simplement pas rentable pour la grande majorité des libraires numériques. Un récent eurobaromètre chiffre par ailleurs le marché potentiel à 1 %, à savoir ceux des citoyens européens qui souhaitent acheter des livres numériques en provenance de l’étranger. »

Tim Godfray, directeur général de l’association des libraires de Grande-Bretagne et d’Irlande ajoute: « Je suis ravi que la Commission reconnaisse que certaines ententes entre fournisseurs et distributeurs peuvent restreindre la concurrence entre les détaillants. Moins de concurrence signifie moins de choix pour les consommateurs européens. Une concurrence saine entre distributeurs de livres électroniques est garante d’une offre riche et variée, ce que l’EIBF a toujours prôné. Les consommateurs pâtissent du manque de concurrence sur le marché du livre numérique quand certaines multinationales profitent de leur position dominante pour imposer des conditions commerciales intenables à leurs fournisseurs. Inversément, les consommateurs et les acteurs commerciaux ont tout à gagner d’une offre riche et diversifiée de livres numériques lorsque les détaillants travaillent dans un climat de concurrence saine et loyale. »

The European and International Booksellers Federation has noted with satisfaction the conclusions of the Commission’s inquiry in the e-commerce sector about geo-blocking.

Dr. Kyra Dreher, Managing Director Retail Booksellers Committee, Boersenverein des Deutschen Buchhandelsand and EIBF co-President commented: “I strongly appreciate that the Commission understands that geo-blocking is based on business decisions from companies who do not want to sell abroad and that the Commission reckons that such behaviour by a non-dominant company falls outside the scope of EU competition law. The e-book market is an uncertain market with extremely low profitability and selling across borders is just not profitable for the vast majority of e-booksellers, when the potential market is in the region of 1% of European citizens who want to buy e-books across borders, according to a recent Eurobarometer.

Commented Tim Godfray, Chief Executive of The Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland: “I am delighted that the Commission acknowledges that in some cases agreements between suppliers and distributors may restrict competition between retailers. Reduced competition means reduced choice for European consumers. Healthy competition between e-book distributors guarantees a robust, diverse retail landscape, which is what EIBF has always advocated for. It is not good for consumers when there is little room for challengers on the e-book market because single companies abuse a dominant market position to impose unfair business conditions on providers. Conversely, consumers and societies benefit from a rich and varied e-book offer when retailers are operating on a level playing field and there is healthy competition among them”.

Today the European Commission has published its Communication on the future of the European copyright framework. We are digital sectors at heart, and hope the Communication marks the start of an informed, constructive dialogue about how copyright should continue to enable the creative and cultural sectors to thrive in Europe – to the benefit of rights holders, audiences and users alike.

Creativity and cultural expression are a vital part of Europe’s identity.  Copyright is the most effective enabler for the creation, financing, production and dissemination of cultural works and for offering consumers the high-quality and diverse content they love. Copyright has also made it possible to facilitate Europeans’ access to legal offers online, and we welcome the Commission’s intention to further support this market development.

In this spirit, we call upon the European Commission to take into account the views of the seven million people who make up the European creative and cultural sectors in Europe. Helping the creative and cultural sectors to grow and to drive job creation requires proposals that respect the rights of creators and their business partners. We look forward to working constructively with the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament to find appropriate solutions where needed, while leaving room for market-driven initiatives to lead the way.

Our members come from across the creative and cultural sectors, and are brought together by their belief in creativity, creative works and content, cultural diversity and freedom of expression. Here’s how they reacted:

Grégoire Polad, Director General of ACT, said:

“Today the Commission has published a proposal  for a Regulation on portability aiming at allowing subscribers that have paid for subscriptions in their Member State of residence to continue to access that content when temporarily travelling to another member state. We look forward to continuing our work with the Institutions to develop from this blueprint a workable solution that is fit for purpose.”​

Benoît Ginisty, Managing Director of FIAPF, the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, said:

“Film producers are excited about the opportunities offered by digital technology – we are already deeply engaged in the digital environment.  In the digital economy, licensing distribution rights by territory remains fundamental to the financing, production and distribution of content not just in the EU, but worldwide. It is this freedom to co-produce between different countries and to pre-sell future distribution rights on an exclusive basis to a wide range of distributors in several countries that enables us to finance a vivid European film production and to maximise film distribution to Europe’s culturally diverse audiences.” 

 David Kavanagh, Executive Officer, Federation of Screenwriters in Europe, said:

“Authors are at the roots of the creative industries’ value chain. We are hopeful that the European Commission will promote a legal environment with fair remuneration of all right holders safeguarding creativity and ensuring the continued investments which are vital to Europe’s economy.”

 Anne Bergman, Director of the Federation of European Publishers, said:

“Exceptions to copyright need to be just that – exceptions, not the rule. It’s a positive sign that the Commission says it will take market specificities and existing practices into account regarding exceptions to copyright. The current system enables respect for cultural and national diversity, flexibility and an appropriate degree of EU harmonization and has led to more creative works being available than ever before. Licences can and are already addressing many issues and any new exception would therefore have to be justified by very strong evidence of market failure  with account taken to incentives towards investments by writers, publishers and booksellers in order to ensure the creation, publishing and distribution of new books.”

Helen Smith, Executive Chair and Secretary General of IMPALA, said:

“The music sector has made it possible for millions of music lovers throughout Europe to access a large and diversified offer whenever they want and on any device they choose. To maximise this, all online platforms offering copyright-protected content need to compete on a level playing field – copyright rules in particular need to apply to all players who are actively involved in distributing copyrighted works.”

 Nick Yapp, President of the European Writers’ Council, said:

“On behalf of over 150,000 authors, writers and translators, the European Writers’ Council welcomes the opportunity to take part in the discussions planned by the European Commission. The importance of the protection of copyright cannot be overestimated. It is an essential ingredient in the process that enables creativity to survive and prosper in any society, and has produced the treasury of European Culture. New exceptions to this protection therefore have to be justified by very strong evidence and with account taken to incentives towards investments by Writers, Publishers and Booksellers in order to ensure the creation, production and distribution of new books.”

 Mathieu Moreuil, Head of European Policy of Premier League, said:

“We are proud to provide millions of sports fans throughout Europe and the world with tailored content which matches specific tastes and preferences of each market – online or otherwise. Any dilution of territorial exclusivity could lead to pan-European licensing ultimately destroying that rich, culturally diverse content offer that we are all striving to create. The review of the Satellite and Cable Directive must be approached with great care and it should respect the contractual freedom and the territorial exclusivity which are key for a successful and sustainable future for the creative industries.”

Sylvie Fodor, Executive Director of CEPIC, said:

“Professional photographers and picture agencies work online as a matter of course, and rely on strong copyright protection to make their jobs possible. While the initiatives mentioned in the Communication aiming at a fairer distribution of the value generated on the Internet are to be welcomed, a number of proposed exceptions might further undermine the revenues or discriminate against a certain category of visual authors. What photography needs are strong enforcement measures or a realistic possibility to enforce rights against platforms who have built a business model on the free re-use of copyrighted content.”

David Sweeney, ISFE’s Senior Counsel, said:

“Video games and apps were born digital, and are by their very nature intellectual property. Without IP rights, they wouldn’t exist. As such, respect for intellectual property rights online is vital to the sector, which has flourished in the digital era.”

The European and International Booksellers Federation today announced its strong support to the decision by DG Competition in the European Commission to declare illegal the tax rulings that allowed big companies to avoid taxes in certain countries of the European Union.

Dr. Kyra Dreher, EIBF Co-President and Managing Director of the Retail Booksellers Committee, Boersenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, commented:

“I am delighted by this totally unprecedented decision. Local retailers who pay their taxes properly and therefore add value to their municipalities and the local communities can hardly compete with major international retailers practicing tax avoidance. Consumers and societies benefit when retailers are operating on a level playing field and there is healthy competition among them.”

“The European and International Booksellers Federation strongly believes that public policies should promote a competitive and fair business environment so that consumers can have access to a broad array of retailers and a wide range of books in all formats.”

“The more bookshops there are, the richer is the offering to consumers, who benefit from a variety of shopping opportunities and sales channels. In a robust, diverse retail landscape, consumers can choose to buy their books locally or online, in the high street or in specialized bookshops, and in the format of their choice. Clearly this is only possible when fair competition is guaranteed. The decision of Commissioner Vestager is a strong and very positive signal for the bookselling industry. EIBF dares hope that this will be the end of the privileged tax rates some multinationals have benefited from in the past.”

As members of a wide informal coalition of organisations from the creative sectors, which form an engine for economic growth and job creation, employing over 3.3% of the EU’s workforce and generating more than 4.2% of the EU’s GDP, we want to thank the many Members of the European Parliament who worked to improve the Own Initiative Report on the Implementation of the Infosoc Directive (Reda report). While not all of its elements are ideal, we welcome the fact that this non-binding report now stresses the need for convincing data and objective economic and legal analysis before any legislative initiative on copyright is undertaken.