IPA Global Fixed Book Price

Global Fixed Book Price Report
23rd May 2014
INTRODUCTION
Fixed book price (FBP) systems have existed for more than 150 years. Most countries with a significant book industry have, at one time or other, introduced a mechanism to fix the price at which books are sold to the public. FBP is viewed by many nations (eg France, Germany) as an important, flexible and effective policy tool in maintaining a sustainable book industry. Elsewhere, for example among Anglo-Saxon and Nordic nations, the very notion of price fixing is considered irrational and unproductive, contradicting market forces and competition legislation.
Today, with the book supply chain under pressure from a number of forces, notably the rise of online retail, there is renewed debate about the merits of fixed book price. IPA neither advocates for or against fixed book price; we are however interested in the effect FBP produces within countries that adopt it.
This report contains details of the FBP schemes currently in operation. It includes a history of the development of FBP, an overview of the arguments commonly presented for and against FBP and information about recent FBP developments around the world. We hope you find it useful.

Full report available in attachement.