The International Publishers Association congratulates publishers around the world who have been quick and innovative in their reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. IPA also praises government actions to control the spread of the virus and support cultural industries. IPA calls for industry solidarity to overcome the economic impact the disruption will bring and appeals to national and regional governments to ensure all those in the publishing value chain are supported.
Publishers around the world have reacted quickly to support homeschooling parents and open access to research around COVID-19. At the same time many parts of the industry want to know whether culture or publishing will be supported by national stimulus packages. The below gathers together publishers and governments’ actions so far.
The International Publishers Association (IPA) and the Norwegian Publishers Association (NPA) have taken the difficult decision to cancel the 33rd International Publishers Congress which was scheduled to be held in Lillehammer, Norway, from 28-30 May 2020.
The campaign of the UK Publishers Association and others has paid off: As of 1st December, the UK will abolish the current 20 % tax on e-books, online newspapers and digital magazine editions.
Close scrutiny showed a more complex but also more positive answer for both the UK and US.
IPA D&I envoy, Michiel Kolman interviews Elsevier’s Simon Holt and Springer Nature’s Kirsty Bone about their experiences of having a disability and working in the publishing industry. This is a long but fascinating read.
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.