By Siobhan O’Leary

Sales of classical music products increased by 23% in the first half of 2009 and it’s booksellers who are partially responsible. According to figures published by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie, and reported in BuchMarkt, classical music generates about 100 million euros in sales in Germany each year, with about 10% of that sold in bookstores. Could this be an opportunity for booksellers to expand their classical music tie-ins and sidelines? More Beethoven busts and Mozart head pencil holders perhaps?

Rowohlt Verlag and Der Spiegel magazine have reached a settlement concerning the magazine’s breaking the embargo of articles about Daniel Kehlmann’s new book “Ruhm.” Although Rowohlt only sent review copies to publishers that had signed a confidentiality agreement, Der Spiegel went ahead and published an interview with Kehlmann about the book that was published before the on-sale date. Rowohlt eventually agreed to dismiss the charges due to lack of evidence of intentional wrongdoing, says BuchMarkt.

Medienfabrik Gütersloh GmbH, a subsidiary of Bertelsmann’s arvato AG, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new Internet print web site, maxiprint.de. The company promises to print everything from business cards and stationery to beer coasters and napkins, all with overnight delivery, says Boersenblatt.