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.
New French Government Drops VAT on Books From 7% to 5.5%
France’s new Minister of Culture said the VAT rate for books would return to 5.5%, following its raise to 7% in April under Nicolas Sarkozy’s government.
Taking E-book VAT to the Mat
UK consumers pay 20% VAT on e-books but 0% on print books. The Publishers Association wants the ‘stark anomaly’ of different book taxes rectified, says Chief Executive Richard Mollet.
Spain’s Got a Digital Piracy Problem, says El País Journalist
In 2011, 49% of e-book content online in Spain was distributed without the proper copyright holders’ permission, says El Pais’ Antonio Fraguas Garrido.
France Hikes VAT on Books to 7%, Adding to Booksellers’ Woes
As if e-books weren’t trouble enough, in France a VAT rate increase of 5.5% to 7% on books forced many booksellers to close for two days to reprice books.
Does Europe Need a Single Open Market for E-books?
By Edward Nawotka As discussed in today’s lead story, European laws governing the sale of books vary wildly from country to country, often favoring print over e-books. Many of the major markets have fixed book pricing and part of the reasoning behind fixed book prices is that it allows all retailers to compete on a level playing field when it …
In Europe E-books are Approached with “Concern, Not Hysteria,” says Italy’s Mussinelli
By Daniel Kalder MILAN: “The problem in Italy and in Europe in general, is that data on e-books is scarce, says Cristina Mussinelli, a digital publishing consultant for the Italian Publishers Association and European member of the IDPF board. “There is no central entity collecting information in an organized way, and the ways in which different countries collect data may not …
Is 2011 the Tipping Point for E-books in Europe?
Europe’s e-book market is growing, but is it robust enough to attract the mass market? By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story looks at the growth of e-books in Europe, which has been slow and pragmatic and has long lagged behind the US and Japan. But the introduction of several new platforms, devices and digitization projects at the end of 2010 …
France to Reduce VAT on E-books to 5.5% Starting in 2012
By Siobhan O’Leary In several European countries, books are subject to a reduced VAT rate in light of their status as a “cultural” product. This has been complicated by the emergence of e-books, which tend to be viewed as electronic products for taxation purposes and are thus subject to full VAT (19% in Germany, as opposed to the reduced rate …