Suddenly a poster appeared in almost every bookstore in the country. He warns that the Omnibus law, currently under discussion in Congress, provides for the repeal of an article that defends this activity.
Regard Article 55 of law 25.542 on the defense of the book business. Bookshops immediately joined forces with countless entities to make visible their demand shared by small bookshops and large chains. And in a document they underline the following:
● Said law It does not represent any expense for the State. It states only that any book producer (publisher) or importer Set a price for each title and each seller (bookstores, online stores) respects it.
● The law has been in force since 2002 (and similar to previous ones in Germany, France, Spain and twenty other countries), it was not imposed by any government, but was an agreement between all the actors in the book.
● This law has demonstrated its positive influence on both the quantity and diversity of books produced, sold and disseminated. He generated healthy competition (marketers compete for better service, attention and reach), create and support jobs and promote the country’s cultural strength. I our case. The benefits also concern other areas, such as the knowledge economy and the important cultural tourism of which we are recipients.
● According to data from the Argentine Book Chamber, since the entry into force of this law, the editorial news production increased by 200%Was The number of bookstores has tripled and more than 200 SME publishing houses have been created.
● This law establishes clear and fair rules of the game for all players in the sector. A well-organized industry achieves better results.
● The reason why books maintain a price above inflation is because the price of books the card increased by 70% in the last two months and 300% in the last year. Paper represents 60% of the cost of the book, so it is clear that the problem of the price of the book derives directly from the cost of the paper.
● Solidly documented international experience shows that when similar laws are repealed, book prices increase, not decrease, thus harming readers and all participants in the publishing ecosystem: writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, proofreaders, designers , distributors and bookstores.
“We trust in each of you, in your personal experiences and in your education, which has led you to be representatives of the people in Congress. We trust that none of you wants a country with fewer books”, they sent a message to the legislators.
Signatories include the Argentine Association of Translators and Interpreters; ADA, Association of Cartoonists of Argentina; ALIJA, Argentine Children’s and Youth Literature Association; BP, People’s Libraries in Struggle; CAL, Argentine Book Chamber; CALEDIN, Chamber of independent booksellers and publishers; CALI, Argentine Chamber of Independent Bookshops; CAPLA, Argentina Chamber of Stationery, Bookcases and Related Products; Cultural Career; RELI, Network of Independent Bookshops (Mexico), TYPEO Cooperative, Territory and organized editorial production; UEEA, Union of Writers of Argentina.
Source: Clarin
