Freedom to communicate commercially is a part of freedom of speech. It is often claimed that consumers must be protected through regulation on advertising for food, alcohol, medicines, toys, cars...: bans and restrictions on the advertising of every day products that every consumer can access freely in the EU will not be accepted by publishers.
APPLICABLE LAW
Publishers require legal certainty, as regards defamation and private rights issues, in an age of more cross-border sales and the global nature of the internet. Country of Origin is the only solution.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Freedom of Expression is the basis for Freedom of the Press, and consequently a central pillar of a publisher’s raison d’etre. FAEP defends the freedom of expression, thus promoting pluralism and diversity and ensuring that Europe’s periodical press sector remains.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Publishers encourage adequate protection and reward for those who invest in creativity. Therefore the enforcement of copyright and strong enforcement of anti-piracy laws and introduction of the work-for-hire principle across the EU is supported by the periodical press.
INFORMATION SOCIETY
Regulation that promotes the development of the digital economy, and does not thwart innovation, provides the right framework for a prospering publishing sector in the EU. Publishers demand technology neutral and level playing field as regards data use and protection.
VAT
Publishers reject the taxation of reading. A literate and informed population is vital to a “knowledge society”. The costs of illiteracy by far outweigh the revenues raised by taxing reading. If governments want people to read they should not tax reading.
// European Federation of Magazine Publishers // Fédération Européenne d'Editeurs de Périodiques // Europäischer Verband der Zeitschriftenverleger //
