Question for Australians: do parallel import rules apply to e-books?

charlieperry · 12-04-2009, 07:36 PM

The parallel importation restrictions allow for one off imports of books. That means that Amazon, Bookdepository etc are able to sell books to Australia and basically bypass the Australian publishers.

Does the same apply to e-books?

If not then why do some US and UK e-book retailers not allow Australians to buy books?

Would love to know the answer if anyone knows.

m-reader · 12-05-2009, 12:46 AM

There was a fair bit of discussion on the forum a few weeks back on this issue. I don't think the government can impose restrictions at the retail level. It's just not feasible.
Some overseas merchants have geographical restrictions for a number of reasons. Parallel import restrictions are usually way down on their list of those reasons (in my experience anyway).

hedgeddown · 12-05-2009, 10:32 PM

Publishers still segment their markets by selling ebook rights only for specific markets, thereby limiting who the retailer can sell to.

12-04-2009, 07:36 PM	#1
charlieperry Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 174 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Device: Sony PRS 505	Question for Australians: do parallel import rules apply to e-books? The parallel importation restrictions allow for one off imports of books. That means that Amazon, Bookdepository etc are able to sell books to Australia and basically bypass the Australian publishers. Does the same apply to e-books? If not then why do some US and UK e-book retailers not allow Australians to buy books? Would love to know the answer if anyone knows.

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12-05-2009, 12:46 AM	#2
m-reader Guru Posts: 785 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-300. PRS-650, PRS-900, iPad2, Iconia A500, Irex Iliad (sold)	There was a fair bit of discussion on the forum a few weeks back on this issue. I don't think the government can impose restrictions at the retail level. It's just not feasible. Some overseas merchants have geographical restrictions for a number of reasons. Parallel import restrictions are usually way down on their list of those reasons (in my experience anyway).

12-05-2009, 10:32 PM	#3
hedgeddown Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 26 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	Publishers still segment their markets by selling ebook rights only for specific markets, thereby limiting who the retailer can sell to.

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