Position Papers

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 »

Joint EBF and FEP Contribution to the European Commission Consultation on the future EU Culture Programme

15 Dec 2010

Joint EBF and FEP Contribution to the European Commission Consultation on the future EU Culture Programme

The European Booksellers Federation (EBF) and the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) have sent a common answer in reply to the European Commission's consultation on a new EU Culture Programme after 2013. Read more »