(Last updated: 14/10/2009) Just in from Twitter: Amazon will now ship the Kindle internationally. According to Bookseller+Publisher:

Kindles are available to order for US$279 (A$313) from the Amazon website now and will begin shipping from 19 October. Amazon’s director of merchandising Laura Porco is scheduled to run a demonstration of the device in Sydney on Monday 26 October. An Amazon spokesperson told WBN that it had ‘not been confirmed as yet whether [books from] Australian publishers will be available’ to read on the device.

CNET Australia provides some technical details:

The reader can either download books via USB or by 3G or 2G wireless, without any mobile contracts … but the spokesperson could not (more)

History Lesson 3 by Sanja Gjenero (via stock.xchng)

Today’s SMH reports that the Productivity Commission is likely to recommend the removal of parallel importation restrictions (PIR) on books to Australia.

If this happens, despite the Productivity Commission receiving a majority of submissions in support of retaining all or part of the current restrictions, it will be clear that the loudest voices in the media have prevailed.

It helps, of course, if your lobby group includes former NSW Premier Bob Carr, and former ACCC chairman Allan Fels.

Lobbying for cheaper prices

Carr has written several editorials in support of an open market for books, citing affordability and availability to children. It’s ironic that local authors of children’s books believe they’ll be one of the hardest hit by an open market. This is because illustrated children’s books are more expensive to produce due to their larger, non-standard formats, and because authors have to split the royalties with illustrators. (more)

Abandoned Book by swotai (via Flickr)

If you’ve been following the debate on the parallel importation of books in Australia, The 7.30 Report ran a segment yesterday on the debate. Unfortunately, it didn’t look past the usual rhetoric surrounding the issue.

In fact I don’t think the segment even highlighted all the main arguments on either side or the parallel importation debate. I’m particularly frustrated by the final comment from Allan Fels, former ACCC chairman, Dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government:

It’s also claimed that Australian books in fact are priced much the same as the rest of the world. I don’t agree. But if it is true, what have we got to fear from removing the import restrictions?

What we fear is that change might actually harm the industry, (more)

On Thursday, I wrote a post on why I wouldn’t be signing the petition that Dymocks urged its Booklovers subscribers to sign. I never imagined it would get as much attention as it did, so a big welcome to new readers and visitors. If you’re interested, children’s author Sheryl Gwyther is organising a protest against Dymocks on Thursday, April 16, at 10.30am at the Brisbane Dymocks store (cnr Queen and Edward Sts). Click here for details. (Via Christine Bongers)

To clarify: I’m not trying to foist my personal opinion on parallel importation on anyone else, but I’m encouraging people to hear more than just one side of the debate before signing the petition (or not).

Romance book sales are up

You may have already seen this in various blogs, but according to the NY Times: “In a recession, what people want is a happy ending.” Sales of romance books are up, and there are some very good quotes and insights on the buying habits of romance readers: “Romance readers are considered among the most loyal fans, (more)

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1. I don’t trust you. Emailing a customer mailing list with your political agenda is dodgy. Also dodgy is pretending to be something other than a group of chain retailers lobbying the government to change the law so you can increase your profits.

2. We don’t need to change copyright law to buy cheaper books. Readers can buy online. Not only do we take advantage of cheaper prices overseas, but we don’t have to pay GST. The Book Depository doesn’t even charge for shipping. I don’t see you lobbying to have the GST removed from books, or to have the government enforce the GST on overseas companies. Maybe it can’t. That’s not my fault.

3. Not everyone buys books according to price. The experience of being in a bookstore is what I want when I go into a bookstore. Otherwise, I’d buy online. I like seeing a book, touching it, reading the blurb and maybe a few pages. I can’t do that online. (more)

Stack of Old Books by Darren Hester (via Flickr)

This post is a continuation of yesterday’s post exploring the issues around parallel importation of books in Australia. To recap, part 1 talks about the 30/90 rule and summarises the arguments for and against the current legislation. Now I’m going to talk about my personal opinion regarding the issues.

Support for current legislation

Initially, I was against any change to the current legislation. I do most of my book shopping in brick and mortar stores and I never compare prices online. I figure, if I can’t afford the book on the shelf, then I ought to save up until I can or just get it from the library. As SMH journalist Malcolm Knox puts it:

A book’s real value lies in the hours it gives us in enjoyment or insight and the surprising ways it can open our hearts. A book can be a terrible rip-off at $9.99 or a bargain at $60. (more)

Stack of Old Books by Darren Hester (via Flickr)

Last week, the deadline passed for submissions to the Productivity Commission’s study on the copyright restrictions on the parallel importation of books to Australia. I had intended to read the submissions and give a full summary of the pros and cons, but there are way too many for me to get through. I also haven’t decided where I stand on this issue, and tomorrow I’ll talk about why.

The 30/90 rule

The Copyright Act includes an amendment commonly known as the 30/90 rule. When a book is first released anywhere in the world, the Australian publisher who owns local rights must publish an Australian version of the book within 30 days. If the local rights holder makes the book available within 30 days of its first release anywhere, all Australian booksellers must buy the book from the Australian publisher; they can’t import the book from an overseas publisher.

If the publisher fails to publish the book within 30 days, booksellers may import legitimate copies without the permission of the local rights holder—in effect, the publisher loses exclusive rights. (more)