[LINK] Australian Publishing...in the Internet Age

Fri Apr 17 10:10:01 AEST 2009

stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
> Here's two sides to an important decision ..
> 

There are a few more perspectives:

On a personal note. I wrote the chapter on A8015 in a book (Frameworks for IT
Management) which was published in Holland in 2006. I believe the contribution
was useful in the International adoption of AS8015-2005 as ISO/IEC 38500-2008.
Various editions of the book are available on Amazon in English, German and
Japanese but not/possibly? can't be carried by book sellers in Oz.
<http://astore.amazon.com/corporategovernance-20/191-6580768-4765251?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=2>
<http://www.amazon.de/Frameworks-f%C3%BCr-das-Management-Jan/dp/9087530862/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239926679&sr=8-1>

There is also side issue of the publication/adoption of localised versions of
international standards and whether standards should be open source.

And following on from my earlier posting to Link about the ABC's Bookshow
harping on about copyright in relation to Obama's audio book:
<http://mailman.anu.edu.au/pipermail/link/2009-April/082967.html>

It would seem that RN is broadcasting (in Oz) and streaming (worldwide)
either the cd or download of the abridged audio book:
> # Abridged Compact Disc
> # On Sale: May 3, 2005
> # Price: $25.95
> # ISBN: 978-0-7393-2100-3 (0-7393-2100-5)
<http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780739321003>
and
> # Format: Abridged Audiobook Download
> # On Sale: May 10, 2005
> # Price: $12.98
> # ISBN: 978-0-7393-2101-0 (0-7393-2101-3)
<http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780739321010>

In addition to being available in Australia through online stores (or is this to
be blocked?), the audio book along with "Audacity of Hope" and  "Change We
Can Believe In" are republished in Australia
<http://textpublishing.com.au/books-and-authors/book/dreams-from-my-father-audio-book/> 

And for another author's perspective:
> Today, the President released his 2008 federal income tax returns.  He and the First Lady filed their income tax returns jointly and reported an adjusted gross income of $2,656,902.  The vast majority of the family?s 2008 income is the proceeds from the sale of the President?s books.  The Obamas paid $855,323 in federal income tax.
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/15/Release-of-the-President-and-Vice-Presidents-Tax-Returns/>

Marghanita

> 
> Morris Gleitzman (Australian Author) writes:
> 
> As you're probably aware, the Productivity Commission is preparing to
> report to the Federal Government, on the rules governing parallel
> importation of books.
> 
> They've issued a draft report and are accepting further submissions
> until 17 April, following which they'll make final recommendations in May.
> 
> The draft report proposes significant changes to the territorial
> copyright that currently protects Australian authors. The implications
> of this for our literary culture are grave. In particular, the draft
> report recommends allowing the importation of overseas editions of
> Australian books from 12 months after their publication in Australia.
> 
> This would include overseas remainders.
> 
> Those of us with OS editions and an in-print Australian backlist would be
> seriously affected. Wholesalers and booksellers could bring in our
> overseas remainders at rock-bottom prices and sell them at any price they
> chose, very probably undercutting the capacity of our Australian
> publishers to keep our backlists healthy. 
> 
> The more established of us would survive this, but authors earlier in
> their careers, for whom every royalty dollar both local and OS is
> critical, would very likely find the financial basis of their careers
> destroyed. And the ability of Australian publishers to build the careers
> of future generations of Australian authors would be crippled.
> 
> You may be aware that Dymocks is conducting a customer petition using
> their huge Booklovers mailing list, running a simplistic campaign
> supporting the proposals. 
> 
> They're touting the notion of cheaper books for all, but ignoring all the
> uncertain and negative aspects.
> 
> The reason for this email is to ask you to make a submission to the
> Productivity Commission in defence of territorial copyright. It needn't be
> a long one, just a paragraph urging the Commission to reconsider the
> proposals in their draft report. A simple letter would suffice to the
> Commissioners Mike Woods and Louise Sylvan at
> 
> Fax: Jill Irvine - 02 6240 3311
> 
> Email: books at pc.gov.au
> 
> The Commission website ( http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/books ) has
> all the information you need including a cover sheet for your submission
> and copies of all existing submissions. For a chilling and stirring read, 
> I particularly recommend Tim Winton's.
> 
> http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/books/submissions
> 
> The Commission must receive your submission by 17 April. Not much time, I
> know, but these few days are crucial if future generations of Australian
> authors are to have the opportunities we had at the start of our careers. 
> 
> And, perhaps most crucial, if future generations of Australian kids are
> to know what an Australian story is.
> 
> Please feel free to send this on to anybody you think might be able to
> help the cause.
> 
> thanks,
> 
> Morris Gleitzman
> --
> 
> 
> On the other hand is Dymocks etc .. here is a an email from them:
> 
> 
>> Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:43:50 +1000
>> From: booklover at dymocks.com.au
>> Subject: Last chance to help us reduce the price of books
>>
>>  16 April 2009
>>
>> I would like to thank all the Dymocks Booklovers who have responded
>> to my earlier email regarding the Productivity Commission enquiry into
>> parallel importation of books. 
>>
>> To date in excess of ten thousands of our customers have responded! 
>>
>> If you have not yet had a chance to respond please take the opportunity
>> to make your view known by responding to our electronic petition at:
>> http://www.dymocks.com.au/petition/petition.aspx
>>
>> I will be presenting the results of the petition to the Productivity
>> Commission on Friday 17 April to show that Australian people are
>> overwhelmingly in favour of access to cheaper books.
>>
>> You may recall that the key issues are:
>>
>> Current laws stop Australian booksellers importing books other than
>> through Australian subsidiaries or agents of overseas publishers. This
>> restriction prevents books being imported from more competitive markets 
>> where books are cheaper - for instance the United States or the UK.
>>
>> The removal of similar restrictions affecting the CD market in 1998 led
>> to a dramatic fall in prices for CDs. This can happen for books as well.
>>
>> Dymocks is part of the Coalition for Cheaper Books and has made
>> submissions to the Productivity Commission which, we believe, would
>> reduce book prices for the public whilst at the same time protecting
>> the copyright and income of authors and publishers. You can see
>> Dymocks' submission by clicking the link to the Productivity Commission.
>>
>> The Productivity Commission has released a draft report which recommends
>> that import restrictions should apply for 12 months from the date that a
>> book becomes available in Australia. As most books are purchased within
>> 12 months of publication it is our view that this recommendation will
>> not result in cheaper books for the public.
>>
>> If you want to see cheaper books in Australia then I urge you to sign
>> the electronic petition as soon as possible. If you have already signed
>> the petition I thank you for your support and assure you that Dymocks
>> will continue to do all it can to bring you cheaper books.
>>
>> Yours sincerely,Don Grover
>> Chief Executive Officer and a Dymocks Booklover
>>
> --
> 
> Nb: There's also a petition at: http://www.ausbooks.com.au/index.php
> 
> Cheers,
> Stephen
> _______________________________________________
> Link mailing list
> Link at mailman.anu.edu.au
> http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
> 

-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: (+61)0414 869202