Book price

The book price lawvoted unanimously by Parliament, was promulgated on 10 August 1981. The three objectives of this text are:

• the equality of citizens before the book, which will be sold at the same price throughout the national territory;
• the maintenance of a very dense decentralized distribution network, particularly in less favoured areas;
• the support of pluralism in creation and publishing, especially for difficult works.

This law requires publishers or importers of books to set a price for sale to the publicRetailers must charge an effective retail price between 95% and 100% of the price set by the publisher or importer. With the following exceptions:

• sales to certain legal persons and authorities, capped at 9%;
• sales of school books to parents' associations and schools;
• sales on books published or imported for more than two years, the last supply of which was more than six months ago.

Article 10 of the special provisions for the overseas departments. These provisions are intended to enable booksellers in the DOM to pass on to the price of books higher costs in mainland France, in particular because of the cost of approach and the cost of living in the DOM.

An evaluation of the law of 10 August 1981 was carried out in 2008-2009 within the framework of the Book Council and under the chairmanship of Hervé Gaymard by a committee of professionals and members of Parliament. It is part of a historical, comparative and prospective dimension with regard to the advent of digital technology in the world of books. The conclusions of this report, entitled Situation of the book. Evaluation of the law on the price of the book and prospective questions, show that the law of 10 August 1981 remains relevant, including in the internet time. It is a law of sustainable development, both cultural, economic and territorial, the record of which is unquestionably positive.

It appears that the main objective of the law, to allow citizens equal access to books, has been satisfied. This legislation has made it possible to maintain a diversified distribution network for books throughout the country, without being an obstacle to the rise of new players. Finally, it has enabled the vitality and diversity of publishing, with the creation of new innovative and reactive companies, indispensable to the French editorial landscape and the maintenance of a wide and diversified book offering.

The report delivered in March 2012 by the mission on the future of the bookshop In particular, it recommends strengthening the book policy based on the Law of 10 August 1981, in order to ensure in the medium and long term the maintenance of a dense and diversified network of quality booksellers throughout the country.