Changes in VAT designed to force Amazon to pay higher tax rates is complicating direct sales for self-published authors, potentially strengthening Amazon.
France, Germany, Italy, Poland Call for Lowering VAT on Ebooks
The Culture Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Poland have joined together to campaign for the EC to charge the same VAT for ebook sales as print.
#ThatIsNotABook: How to Campaign to Lower European Ebook VAT
France’s Syndicat National de l’Edition (SNE) has launched a social media campaign to encourage readers to support the fight for a lower VAT on ebooks.
As Avid Readers, Czechs Campaign for Lower VAT on Books
Czechs are ranked among the most avid readers in Europe and a campaign is afoot to reduce what is seen as an excessive 15% VAT rate on books.
Irish Bookseller John McNamee on EIBF and European Competition
Outgoing president of the European and International Booksellers Federation John McNamee discusses interoperability for ebooks, VAT, and offers advice for future survival in the book biz.
Polish Ebook Industry Players Eye Rapid Market Expansion
By nixing DRM and selling in the MOBI format, Poland’s ebook players are making strides forward, but the market is still fragmented.
Why Publishers Need to Collaborate with Tech Companies
At the Guadalajara Book Fair, Bill McCoy of the IDPF and Pablo Defendini of Safari Books encouraged publishers to abandon DRM, and set their own prices.
Spain Hikes E-book VAT to 21%, Likely Slowing Growth
As part of austerity measures VAT on e-books has been raised to 21% in Spain, a move that is likely to slow growth in the nascent segment.
Why is Europe’s E-books Policy So Schizophrenic?
Just like in the US, the EC has turned e-book pricing and taxation into a drama. If e-books are books, just like any other, then why all the furor?
European Publishers Meet with EC, Endorse Single Market for E-books
Bold-faced names in European publishing met in Brussels with the EC, where they signed a single market declaration favoring open borders for e-books.