Grande will extend the fixed price of books

Minister of Culture Trine Skei Grande (Liberal Party).Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix

Culture Minister, Trine Skei Grande of the Venstre party (V), will expand the fixed price scheme for books to apply one year from the date of issue.The proposal was met with the jubilation from the book industry.

 

“We hope this will lead to more spread of books throughout the year,which will strengthen consumer access to good books throughout the year,” said Grande (V) to the Klassekampen newspaper.

In today’s book agreement, no channels can sell books with more than 12.5% discount before the 1st of May of the year after the release date.

Now the government proposes that the fixed price be valid for twelve months after the date of issue.

As an overview of this year’s book releases is launched in the autumn,this will cause 65% of the books to get a longer fixed price period than before according to the newspaper.

The proposal will soon be sent out for consultation. In addition,the government will reintroduce a four-year agreement, instead of two as in today’s agreement.

Bookstores Association and the Norwegian Authors Association welcome the proposal.
“That this government now confirms that the framework for the book agreement is fixed and, in addition, will strengthen the fixed price system, is completely new,” said leader Heidi Marie Kriznik of the Authors Association.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today