Focus on Fair Remuneration for Authors

The festival’s discussions prominently featured the issue of fair compensation for authors and publishers from second-hand book sales. This initiative, which was promised by President Emmanuel Macron a year prior, gained renewed attention during the event.

During their visit, both Macron and Culture Minister Rachida Dati indicated progress towards implementing a system of remuneration connected to copyright in the thriving second-hand market.

The Economic Impact of Second-Hand Books

According to a study from the French Culture Ministry and the collection agency SOFIA, the second-hand book market was valued at approximately €351 billion in 2022, accounting for 20% of total book sales. The French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’édition, SNE) along with the Permanent Council of Writers (Conseil Permanent des Ecrivains, CPE) expressed optimism over the government’s commitment to refining the current regulations surrounding this lucrative market.

Challenges and Criticism of Proposed Measures

Despite the enthusiasm for potential reforms, not all voices in the publishing industry support the initiative. A recent article from the online platform ActuaLitté critiqued the proposal as a “hypocritical publishing strategy.” The piece cited concerns regarding the previous attempt by the now-defunct company Booxup to establish a model for compensating authors, which was ultimately rejected by the industry.

A report from Bruno Racine, former head of the French National Library, highlighted reservations about the viability of second-hand resale rights, describing them as legally uncertain and complicated to implement.

Responses from Industry Leaders

In response to the ActuaLitté article, SNE director Renaud Lefebvre emphasized the changing landscape over the past decade, particularly with the rise of online platforms dedicated to second-hand sales. He stressed that the current proposal aims to ensure fair compensation for authors rather than establishing an additional tax.

“We have been developing this idea for some time, leveraging insights from academics and legal experts,” Lefebvre stated, pointing to the significant growth in second-hand book sales as a driver for the need for regulation.