WH Smith Ebooks for UK Readers

[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by tompe

Hum, I didn't know there was a standard rate. But then we just have to re-classify ebooks. And rules are not set in stone. They are changed all the time.

I'm with tompe and Smoutie that it should be possible to change. I'm sure that there must be an example where the EU has changed a law somewhere

I wonder what would happen if "non-DRM" books were zero-rated and DRM-books had to pay VAT.

(Must find out who my MP is and who my MEPs are...)

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by LazyScot

I'm with tompe and Smoutie that it should be possible to change. I'm sure that there must be an example where the EU has changed a law somewhere

I wonder what would happen if "non-DRM" books were zero-rated and DRM-books had to pay VAT.

(Must find out who my MP is and who my MEPs are...)

i still can't understand how they managed to classify ebooks as "not books" in the first place. not only should this rule be changed, as far as i'm concerned it's an aberration and should never have existed at all.

taxing only DRM books is an interesting idea ; i wonder how long it would take for publishers using DRM to notice a loss of revenue and abandon DRM once and for all...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

5.5% here i believe, actually. (that half a point makes all the difference). the special book VAT rate not being applied to ebooks has been the subject of much discussion in the ebook forum lately as Arnaud Nourry (head of Hachette Books) used it as a justification for the (outrageously) high prices of ebooks in France, in an interview.

Thanks for the correction!

Yes, readers of English-language books are fortunate in having access to many sources of eBooks which are outside the clutches of the EU "tax man". It must be much harder for readers of other languages like French, German, etc.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i still can't understand how they managed to classify ebooks as "not books" in the first place. not only should this rule be changed, as far as i'm concerned it's an aberration and should never have existed at all.

When the EU directive was made law in 2003 it was aimed at the growing market in digital music sales but, because of the way it was worded, it applies to anything sold as "digital data". I don't suppose anyone really considered eBooks at the time but, unfortunately, eBooks are covered by the legislation.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thanks for the correction!

Yes, readers of English-language books are fortunate in having access to many sources of eBooks which are outside the clutches of the EU "tax man". It must be much harder for readers of other languages like French, German, etc.

yes, it is, and the general impression here is that publishers are deliberately trying to shoot themselves in the foot and make sure that ebooks don't gain popularity. not only is the ebook offer pathetically anemic, but the Sony / Fnac partnership which should have allowed ebooks to really take off is absolutely scandalous : not only is the offer quite limited, but as i mentioned the prices are outrageous : only around 5% reduction (if that) compared to hardcover prices, even for books already available in paperback editions. also, the Dastardly Duo is quite shamelessly trying to suggest (during the training sessions for sellers at the Fnac) that you can ONLY read books bought at the Fnac on the Sony, among other patent lies.

It's all the more ironic that 1. Hachette Books has branches in the US which already sell ebooks so they really should know how it works ; i can't for the life of me imagine why they think that the french will put up with such blatant double standards, and 2. as someone mentioned in the french discussion on the subject, ok, it's taken the US 10 years to get to the point they are currently at with regard to ebooks (offer, pricing, etc.) but there is no reason for France to take 10 more years : why do the industries seem so stubbornly determined to avoid learning from each others' previous experiences ??? Hachette France should look at Hachette US, and the publishers should look at the film and music industries who have already been down this road, instead of blindly making exactly the same mistakes AGAIN. it seems to me like willful stupidity.

[Valloric]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

why do the industries seem so stubbornly determined to avoid learning from each others' previous experiences ??? Hachette France should look at Hachette US, and the publishers should look at the film and music industries who have already been down this road, instead of blindly making exactly the same mistakes AGAIN. it seems to me like willful stupidity.

History is soooo much more fun the second time around, didn't you know that? You get all the pain plus all the frustration, too!

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Valloric

History is soooo much more fun the second time around, didn't you know that? You get all the pain plus all the frustration, too!

oh right, i forgot about that.