News
Tuesday 9th November 2021
Books are source of great pride for UK
Press Release
Contact: Jasmine Joynson - 07884 585349
For immediate release
New polling has shown that books are a source of pride for people in the UK with 61% of those asked stating that it makes them feel proud when a UK book does well around the world.
The research, which was carried out by Savanta and commissioned by the Publishers Association, found 56% also agree that it makes them feel proud when a book from the UK is turned into a major film or TV series.
We have good reason to feel proud. The UK has a rich literary heritage, being home to the works of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Beatrix Potter. More recent UK books to enjoy international success include the Harry Potter series; The Girl on the Train; Girl, Woman, Other and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The UK exports more books than any other country in the world, supported by strong copyright laws. Some of these laws are currently being reviewed by the government and one potential outcome– ‘international exhaustion’ – would be disastrous for the UK’s book industry.
The UK’s current exhaustion regime allows UK authors and publishers to price appropriately for different markets and stops the unauthorised importing of international copies of books coming into the UK. This copyright protection is vital for UK authors and publishers selling their works abroad.
Changes to these laws could result in significant harm to authors’ incomes, prompt a relocation of publishing businesses away from the UK and further support large online retail platforms therefore damaging the British high street.
69% of those polled agree that it is important that the UK Government supports the British book industry and authors.
Authors, illustrators, publishers and book-lovers have been campaigning to Save Our Books and safeguard the UK book industry by avoiding international exhaustion.
About Save Our Books
Save Our Books is a campaign by UK authors, literary agents, publishers and other supportive partners to help the government make the right decision on copyright. #SaveOurBooks
https://twitter.com/SaveOurBooksUK
Link to the Intellectual Property Office’s consultation on future exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uks-future-exhaustion-of-intellectual-property-rights-regime