Publishers, industry groups outline objections to PIR repeal
Publishers and other book industry groups have detailed their objections to a proposed repeal of parallel importation restrictions (PIRs) in their submissions to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into Australia’s intellectual...
Competition policy panel recommends review of parallel importation restrictions; ABA, APA respond
The Competition Policy Review Panel has released a draft report recommending the review of regulations ‘restricting competition’ in key areas, including parallel importation. The panel, formed by the Coalition government...
APA, ABA agree to work towards 14/14 day PIR timeframe
As reported in a Bookseller+Publisher Special Bulletin on Tuesday 15 May, the Australian Publishers Association (APA) and the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) have reached an agreement to work towards reducing...
Industry, politicians respond to BISG recommendations
The Book Industry Strategy Group's final report to government, which was handed over to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr last week, has attracted a variety...
BISG recommendations announced
The Book Industry Strategy Group (BISG) has recommended the timetable for retention of territorial copyright in Australia be reduced from 30/90 days to 14/14 days in its final report to...
ABA to talk to Ministers about GST; Dymocks to decide on off-shore website move after Christmas
The Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) has announced today that it has requested meetings with government ministers to discuss the GST threshold on imported goods and its impact on the Australian bookselling industry.ABA chief...
Dymocks considers moving online business off-shore
The Dymocks bookselling chain is considering moving its online business to New Zealand or Hong Kong in order to avoid its online sales being subject to GST, ABC News has...
McCaskill: Newly established Strategy Group could consider ‘voluntary reduction’ in 90-day rule
Innovation Minister Kim Carr has announced the federal government will establish a new Book Industry Strategy Group. Making the announcement at the opening of the Australian Publishers Association (APA) and...
PIR debate: Dymocks calls for booksellers summit
Dymocks CEO Don Grover is calling for a booksellers meeting to discuss and launch a campaign for reform to the industry, following the Government's rejection last week of the Productivity Commission's...
Quote of the week
‘I think it's a shame that a minister makes comments such as "go buy your books overseas"'--Australian Publishers Association CEO Maree McCaskill, responding to comments by Consumer Affairs Minister Craig Emerson,...
Parallel importation decision: no change to current legislation
As reported in a WBN special bulletin this morning, Competition Minister Craig Emerson has announced ‘the Government has not accepted the Productivity Commission's recommendation to remove the parallel importation restrictions'...
Parallel importation decision: no change to current legislation
The government has made a decision to maintain Australia's current parallel importation legislation. A press release from Competition Minister Craig Emerson's office states: 'The Government has decided not to change...
Parallel importation decision: no change to current legislation
The government has made a decision to maintain Australia's current parallel importation legislation. A press release from Craig Emerson's office states: 'The Government has decided not to change the Australian...
Quote of the week
‘Well, we'll just start drinks early I guess'--Australian Campus Booksellers Association (ACBA) president Graeme Connolly after a presentation on the parallel importation debate failed to draw as many questions as...
Decision on PIRs deferred again
The book industry could be waiting until at least 24 November for a government decision on the Productivity Commission's recommendations to remove Australia's parallel importation restrictions (PIRs) on books, after...
Industry awaits caucus decision on Productivity Commission recommendations
Caucus was today due to consider a motion by the Federal Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons that the recommendations of the Productivity Commission to open the Australian book market be dismissed....
Parallel importation: ABA continues push for ‘some reform’; Dymocks prepared to support compromise
As the trade continues to wait for a Labor cabinet decision on the recommendations of the Productivity Commission, booksellers have continued their push for a compromise plan. The Australian Booksellers Association...
Frankfurt: publishers report ‘strong interest’; NZ link to Mandela ‘buzz book’
As the 2009 Frankfurt Book Fair comes to its mid-point, Australian publishers are reporting 'strong interest' from multiple territories for a range of titles.Madonna Duffy of UQP told WBN that...
Parallel importation: Status quo ‘just as dangerous’ as an open market says ABA CEO
As the book industry awaits the results of continuing talks in Canberra and a final cabinet decision on the Productivity Commission's parallel importation report, the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) has...
ASA: ‘zero days’ effectively a removal of territorial copyright
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has backed the Australian Publishers Association in rejecting a proposed compromise position on parallel importation. ‘We certainly support the position the publishers have taken,'...