Press Release: Reaction by Commissioner Mario Monti to the Agreement on the Fixed-Book Price (Germany and Austria)

The German and Austrian publishers have now accepted the Commission's position with regard to the application of fixed book prices. The present cross-border system between Germany and Austria of fixed booked prices which contains elements contrary to EU competition rules will be replaced by national systems no later than 30 June 2000. In Germany a new contractual arrangement will be established between the publishers and booksellers while Austria plans the introduction of legislation. In either case publishers from other Member States will not be included in a national system of fixed book prices and such prices cannot be imposed on direct cross-border sales of books to end consumers.