Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozawun
Crikey, Steve!
So we're now saying that copyright results in fewer books. But better books.
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Not we. Just me. My opinion here is likely unpopular both among copyright supporters and skeptics. And I didn't say that copyright results in fewer better books in every place and time.
And, of course, I can't prove that copyright collapse would have the opposite effect on volumes today that it did in 1789. But there is evidence, as in one or two threads on this very board, in which it was suggested that authors need to charge low prices and issue several books a year.
Here's the
recent trend line for my own country, the US:
Quote:
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Bowker is projecting that traditional print book output grew six percent in 2011, from 328,259 titles in 2010 to a projected 347,178 in 2011, driven almost exclusively by a strong self-publishing market. This is the most significant expansion in more than four years for America’s traditional publishing sector, but removing self-publishing from the equation would show that the market is relatively flat from 2010.
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Now, I certainly wouldn't claim that the increase -- even more dramatic when you count eBook-only books -- is due to piracy forcing authors to churn out junk. My gut feeling is that US book piracy isn't yet a big enough factor to drive authors. But maybe the great recession is having some similar effect.