eBook VAT – reduced rates and ongoing campaigns across Europe
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.
US, UK and French publishers’ associations publish industry statistics
Publishing industry statistics for a number of markets have been published over the last month including the USA, the UK, France and a special report on ebooks and audiobooks.
Europe aligns VAT between eBooks and physical books; ratifies Marrakesh
The International Publishers Association welcomes the news that the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council has unanimously agreed to allow Member States to apply reduced VAT rates to eBooks, bringing them into alignment with physical books, which in most cases carried a lower rate.
France’s ebook market: new research into buying and reading habits
The fifth SOFIA/SNE/SGDL survey on France’s ebook reading and purchasing habits shows a growing market. We reveal the key trends.
Gino Roncaglia on virtual reality, data animation and the future of storytelling
Gino Roncaglia is a writer and lecturer on the intersection between technology, education and books. We spoke to him about how learning resources are being digitally transformed.
Not all subscription services are created equal
Smashwords founder Mark Coker explains why the success or failure of subscription services like Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited, Scribd and Oyster will have considerable implications for the future of publishing.
A book is a book: VAT rules must reflect that
The European Court of Justice ruling that e-books don’t qualify for lower rates of value-added tax (VAT) will have severe consequences for the book trade. We spoke to Vincent Montagne, President of Syndicat national de l’édition (the French publishers association) about the issue.
Wattpad’s 40 million readers create opportunities for publishers
Wattpad is the world’s largest online community of readers and writers. We interviewed Wattpad’s Ashleigh Gardner about how the site’s growth is creating opportunities for authors and publishers.
The digital economy: what happens next?
With smartphone penetration rates soaring, what can publishers do to kickstart mobile commerce for books? It’s one of the questions we asked digital expert Marcello Vena, who also assessed the retail landscape, the prospects for e-readers and the Long Tail theory’s application to books.
Israel’s book market in 2015
Israel recently introduced a Fixed Book Price law, bringing changes for publishers and retailers. Leading publisher Racheli Edelman reveals the new climate for publishing.