2. What is Parallel Importing?What is Parallel Importing?  The importing of genuine products into the country without permission from the rights owner.  Does not only apply to books  In terms of books it is the importing of foreign editions of Australian books resulting in them being sold at a cheaper price.  Research report released by the Productivity Commission in August 2009 saying that the restrictions on the parallel importation of books be revised and even removed. This was rejected by the government in November 2009 because of concerns pertaining to the affect removing the restrictions would have on Australian authors and publishers.

3. Arguments FOR Parallel Importing of Books  An article released in The Australian presented the acceptance of parallel importing of books by university students, stating that they could get textbooks for cheaper if parallel importing was allowed.  Intellectual Property firm Spruson & Ferguson said ‘restrictions are blamed for higher book prices, which are met by Australian consumers.’  A report written by Tim Wilson in 2009 about why Australia should scrap parallel import restrictions on books argues that restrictions are okay for patents and trademarks etc. but is not necessary for books.  Presents a case study of New Zealand who got rid of their parallel import restrictions and showed no signs of decline from local producers but rather saw a rise in local works being published.  Argues that because books fall under copyright a further restriction is not needed.

4. Arguments AGAINST Parallel Importing of Books  The Australian School Library Association (ASLA) released a response to the report released in 2009 stating their concerns if the restrictions were removed.  Argued that school libraries could be filled with ‘American versions of Australian works’.  The concern for Australian youth to have access to Australian works in order to keep in touch with their culture.  Arguments have been made that the removal of these restrictions will result in publishers and authors suffering under the weight of parallel imports, and that jobs in the publishing industry in Australia will decline.

5. Summarised argument for and against removing PIRs For PIRs on booksAgainst PIRs on books A core component of territorial copyright Acts as a trade barrier and a form of industry protection Undermines capacity for publishing industry to foster Australian authors Unnecessarily raises the price of books for consumers Supports jobs in the printing and publishing industries Restricts available titles on sale through retail stores Provides certainty for companies to invest in expensive technology that has a long repayment timeline An unnecessary addition to territorial copyright Taken from: Wilson, T., (2009), Unbinding book barriers: Why Australia should scarp parallel import restrictions on books. Retrieved from www.ipa.org.au/publications/1684/unbinding-book-barriers-why-australia-should-stop-parallel-import-restrictions-on-books www.ipa.org.au/publications/1684/unbinding-book-barriers-why-australia-should-stop-parallel-import-restrictions-on-books