The prosperity that some in the Russian book industry thought was rising this year may be headed in the other direction, if the expected rise in book VAT becomes a reality.
It’s Springtime for Print, Say Some Russian Publishers: Others Eye Piracy, Discoverability Challenges
Some Russian publishers say that if piracy can be controlled, print can double its market share within years. Others caution that taxes and over-reliance on outdated authors is hampering growth.
Czech Publisher Grada Opens Bookport, an Ebook Subscription Platform
More than a quarter of the roughly 15,000 ebooks available in Czech are on the newly launched Bookport subscription platform, with more titles coming.
Czech Republic Inaugurates a Tax-Deductible Book Allowance for Employees
A new tax law allows Czech companies to offer tax-deductible book vouchers to employees. Publishers are hoping for a boost in book sales and book prices.
Czech Book Market Gains Tempered by Tax Rates, Falling Prices
Czech publishers see gains in 2016’s market performance but are concerned about stubbornly high VAT rates and falling book prices.
European Publishers Slam ‘Unwarranted Delay’ in VAT Reform for Book Formats
Citing the EC’s year-old proposal to allow member-states to tax print and digital book formats equally, the Federation of European Publishers demands action
Russian Government Support Disappoints Publishers and Booksellers
Without much in the way of economic initiatives, Russia’s support measures for publishers and booksellers leave most of the effort to regional governments.
The UK’s Publishers Association Takes Its Stand: ‘No Tax on Books’
The UK’s Publishers Association lays out demands to the government that it says are necessary for UK publishers to be successful post-Brexit.
Industry Notes: BookExpo’s ‘First Amendment Resistance’; EU Research Looks at VAT on Ebooks
Publishers’ responsibilities with ‘controversial authors professing what seem to be unpopular opinion’ at BEA, while Brussels gets some perspective on VAT.
Polish Publishers Call for Book VAT Reductions and Make Another Bid for Fixed Prices
Having seen a bid for fixed book prices stall out before, the Polish publishers’ association is making its case again to legislators in hopes of improving the industry’s prospects.