Position Papers

On the interoperability of e-books formats

16 May 2013

The study was conducted by Professor Christoph Bläsi and Professor Franz Rothlauf of  Johannes Gutenberg University, who said: "There is no technical or functional reason not to use and establish EPUB 3 as an/the interoperable (open) ebook format standard. Read more »

The European & International Booksellers Federation is against the use of closed generic TLD by commercial entities

1 Mar 2013

The European and International Booksellers Federation, EIBF, represents
Booksellers Associations in the European Union and in the world. Through
its Members it represents more than 25.000 bookselling businesses worldwide.
Booksellers Associations in membership with EIBF have in membership all kind
of book retailers, terrestrial bookshops, online retailers, selling paper
and electronic books.
We read that at its February 2013 meeting, the ICANN Board of Directors
recognized the problems presented by applications that would restrict use of Read more »

Platform Statement on strong budget for Creative Europe

5 Feb 2013

The European Platform on the potential of Cultural and Creative Industries advocates for a strong budget for Creative Europe

Ahead of the 7-8 February Special Summit on the EU's Multi-Annual Financial Framework, the European Platform on the potential of Cultural and Creative Industries ('The Platform') - a group of more than 40 organisations representing a wide range of cultural and creative sectors - calls on EU Member States to adopt a strong budget for 'Creative Europe', the 2014-2020 programme for the cultural and creative sectors. Read more »

EBF AND FEP JOINT STATEMENT FOR ROUND TABLE ON E-BOOKS WITH VICE-PRESIDENT NEELIE KROES ON 26 JUNE

27 Jun 2012
Group photoFabian Paagman and Neelie Kroes
Group photo - Credit © European Union, 2012Fabian Paagman with Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the EC in charge of the Digital Agenda at the ebook roundtable -  © EU

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EBF contribution to the European Green Paper on the Future of VAT

31 May 2011

EBF believes that any reform of the VAT system should take into account the following principles:

  • The specific identity of the book, both commercial and cultural item, independently of its format
  • The fact that VAT should be neutral in the cost structure of any business and be charged according to EU and national rules
  • The necessity to implement tax policies supporting the ambitious objectives of the Digital Agenda and the EU 2020 strategy.

Read more in attachment.

Contribution of EBF to the consultation regarding the application of the Directive 2004/48/EC on the enforcement of intellectual property rights

29 Mar 2011

Although booksellers are not usually the rights holders, they support the concept of
the enforcement of copyright as passionately as authors and publishers.
Furthermore, in reason of the shift to digitization and new digital business models,
booksellers will de facto guarantee the proper enforcement of copyright when they
sell e-books and digital files to their customers, either in terrestrial shops or online.

Full text in attachment.

Copyright - EBF Statement of Principles

1 Jan 2011

Although booksellers are not usually the rights holders, they support the concept of copyright as passionately as authors and publishers.

Books are being converted into digital formats and copyright is coming under greater pressure. Files of copyrighted material can easily be shared illegally. This will mean lost revenue not only for authors and publishers, but for booksellers as well.

EBF supports the following Principles on Copyright in order to provide a fair trading infrastructure for rights holders and everyone in the value chain. Read more »