Following legislative change in the European Union (EU) on 2 October 2018, EU Member States can align the VAT rates for eBooks and audiobooks with physical books. A number of countries have been quick of the mark but in others publishers are campaigning hard.
The trade war between the US and China risks severely impacting the publishing industry, with the Association of American Publishers (AAP) expressing its concern and consulting members to understand the scale of the potential impact of further tariffs.
IPA President Hugo Setzer attended the Lima International Book Fair from 22-25 July, taking part in discussions around VAT and elivering a keynote on the Freedom to Publish.
Join us at the first of its kind Middle East publishers' seminar in Amman. The seminar will take a fresh look at the publishing industry in the region and worldwide to answer the pivotal question - How can reading change the course of history?
October and the first days of November were again very busy, with visits to four different countries and three book fairs in the course of three weeks.
SCCR 39 concluded this evening with an agreement found on how to keep the Exceptions and Limitations discussion moving forward and the other agenda items wrapped up and a possible new issue raised in the chamber.
The second day of discussions on the broadcasting treaty were mainly conducted behind closed doors with the plenary chamber finally filling at 17:40 for a presentation of conclusions.
The first day closed with Dr Kenneth Crews waiting to be grilled by delegates and observers. He was given the opportunity this morning, but the highlights today were the side events and the ripples from some late-night messages to delegates.
The second and final day of the IPA Regional Seminar in the Middle East was opened by Sharjah publisher Bodour Al Qasimi (Kalimat Group), who is (among other things) also the IPA Vice-President.
