Adult ebooks not to be sold before 10 p.m in Germany

ingmar · 06-19-2015, 06:53 AM

According to this article (Google Translate) in the official bulletin of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association, ebooks "harmful to minors" must only be sold between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Although originally created for movies and television, this law also applies to ebooks, explains in-house counsel Christian Sprang, adding that they are currently looking for a way to avoid having to check each book manually by the bookseller. The most likely solution would involve a special mandatory field in publishers' catalogs, and/or restricting certain books to special parts of online retailers' websites which can then be hidden by filtering software.

But for now, booksellers beware: you're breaking German law if you're peddling your smut during the (German) day ...

Graham · 06-19-2015, 07:01 AM

It's a global market. Do they also intend halting the rotation of the Earth?

HarryT · 06-19-2015, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

It's a global market. Do they also intend halting the rotation of the Earth?

It only applies to sales from German retailers. Ie between 2200 and 0600 German time.

Turtle91 · 06-19-2015, 07:26 AM

It's about time...

Sorry...couldn't resist

alanHd · 06-19-2015, 07:53 AM

Are the books going to have a clause saying they can only be read between those hours as well?

HarryT · 06-19-2015, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanHd

Are the books going to have a clause saying they can only be read between those hours as well?

Why would they? The law only applies to the sale of pornography, not its consumption. Most countries (in Europe, certainly) have laws restricting the sale of such material.

crich70 · 06-19-2015, 08:57 AM

Are they going to be able to be sure that someone they sell to isn't still a minor in the eyes of the law? Just because a kid is supposed to be at home in bed doesn't mean they will be. And someone always comes along selling fake ID's as well.

HarryT · 06-19-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

Are they going to be able to be sure that someone they sell to isn't still a minor in the eyes of the law? Just because a kid is supposed to be at home in bed doesn't mean they will be. And someone always comes along selling fake ID's as well.

I'd guess it's like the UK, where the retailer has to show that they've taken reasonable precautions to avoid sale to minors, but are not responsible if someone lies to them.

DiapDealer · 06-19-2015, 09:37 AM

I suppose the folks working the midnight shift could always get their kids to stay up late and buy their books for them.

Barcey · 06-19-2015, 10:56 AM

I guess the kids will have to occupy their time watching youporn until their parents go to bed. Then they can borrow their parents credit card and buy adult ebooks.

drjenkins · 06-19-2015, 11:26 AM

I presume they use a credit card number to "prove" you are an adult. No minor child has ever found their parent's credit card number.

HarryT · 06-19-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drjenkins

I presume they use a credit card number to "prove" you are an adult. No minor child has ever found their parent's credit card number.

Are you suggesting that this makes it acceptable for retailers to ignore the law?

fjtorres · 06-19-2015, 12:05 PM

Some laws are placebos.
Or posturing: "We're doing something!"

HarryT · 06-19-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Some laws are placebos.
Or posturing: "We're doing something!"

OK, but given the fact that this law does actually exist, what do you think German retailers should do? Ignore it?

fjtorres · 06-19-2015, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

OK, but given the fact that this law does actually exist, what do you think German retailers should do? Ignore it?

No, what I snark about is the politicians pretending that passing a law burdening the retailers achieves anything meaningful.

06-19-2015, 06:53 AM	#1
ingmar Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 810808 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Tolino Vision 4 HD	Adult ebooks not to be sold before 10 p.m in Germany According to this article (Google Translate) in the official bulletin of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association, ebooks "harmful to minors" must only be sold between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Although originally created for movies and television, this law also applies to ebooks, explains in-house counsel Christian Sprang, adding that they are currently looking for a way to avoid having to check each book manually by the bookseller. The most likely solution would involve a special mandatory field in publishers' catalogs, and/or restricting certain books to special parts of online retailers' websites which can then be hidden by filtering software. But for now, booksellers beware: you're breaking German law if you're peddling your smut during the (German) day ... Last edited by ingmar; 06-19-2015 at 06:57 AM.

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06-19-2015, 07:01 AM	#2
Graham Wizard Posts: 2,742 Karma: 32912427 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus	It's a global market. Do they also intend halting the rotation of the Earth?

06-19-2015, 07:26 AM	#4
Turtle91 A Hairy Wizard Posts: 3,395 Karma: 20212733 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Charleston, SC today Device: iPhone 15/11/X/6/iPad 1,2,Air & Air Pro/Surface Pro/Kindle PW & Fire	It's about time... Sorry...couldn't resist

06-19-2015, 07:53 AM	#5
alanHd Addict Posts: 374 Karma: 1408579 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, Ipod Touch, Ipad Air	Are the books going to have a clause saying they can only be read between those hours as well?

06-19-2015, 08:57 AM	#7
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Are they going to be able to be sure that someone they sell to isn't still a minor in the eyes of the law? Just because a kid is supposed to be at home in bed doesn't mean they will be. And someone always comes along selling fake ID's as well.

06-19-2015, 09:37 AM	#9
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,880 Karma: 207000000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I suppose the folks working the midnight shift could always get their kids to stay up late and buy their books for them.

06-19-2015, 10:56 AM	#10
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	I guess the kids will have to occupy their time watching youporn until their parents go to bed. Then they can borrow their parents credit card and buy adult ebooks.

06-19-2015, 11:26 AM	#11
drjenkins Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 1702156 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	I presume they use a credit card number to "prove" you are an adult. No minor child has ever found their parent's credit card number.

06-19-2015, 12:05 PM	#13
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	Some laws are placebos. Or posturing: "We're doing something!"

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