A study by the Frankfurt Group concludes that the European value-added tax (VAT) impedes the transition to electronic publication. From the press release (undated but apparently released today):
VAT is the greatest obstacle to electronic information in Europe....Whereas printed publications throughout the EU are subject to a reduced rate of VAT, electronic publications in most countries are charged with the highest rate.
VAT represents a barrier for the switch to electronic publications. “The higher costs for electronic publications influence the libraries’ decisions when purchasing resources,” commented Hans Geleijnse, Chairman of the Frankfurt Group. “The study shows that VAT inhibits the switch to electronic publications in the majority of European libraries in non-VAT exempt countries. This is contrary to the stated aims of the European Commission and most national governments.” ...
The Frankfurt Group is a Consensus Forum for Academic and Research Information, whose members represent authors, publishers, rights organizations, libraries, research centres, subscription agents and intermediaries....
Posted by
Peter Suber at 10/22/2006 09:26:00 AM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
I recommend the OA tracking project (OATP) as the best way to stay on top of new OA developments. You can read the OATP feed on a blog-like web page or subscribe to it by RSS, email, or Twitter. You can also help build the feed by tagging new developments you encounter.
