EUROPEAN MEDIA GOVERNANCE : FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN PUBLISHERS (FEP)

FEP is an independent, non-profit  umbrella association of book publishers associations in the European Union. FEP represents 28 national associations of book publishers and learned journals of the European Union and of the European Economic Area.  Educational, trade and children book publishers are associates of FEP members and in each of the Member State, they stand for a large majority of the revenues of the sector. FEP is the voice of the great majority of publishers in Europe.

The main decision-making body, the General Assembly gathers twice a year offering a prime opportunity for publishers all over Europe to meet and share experiences over their business and legislation at EU level and in their respective countries. All over Europe and, indeed, the world, the experiences and challenges faced by publishers are fairly similar.

FEP helps members know more about how their colleagues react to these challenges. It is also active in letting the people working in the European institutions better comprehend the societal and technological changes faced by publishers with the digital revolution and how it is affecting publishing of books.

FEP is active on many fronts in Brussels and Strasbourg but also in the various capitals of EU countries. FEP deals with European legislation and advises publishers’ associations on copyright and other legislative issues.

Key Issues

• External EU actions against piracy and counterfeiting
• Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
• VAT on books in the member countries
• Reduced rates of VAT
• Data retention
• Brussels Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (‘Brussels I’)
• Data protection
• Proposal for a Directive to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, criminal measures to ensure enforcement of rights
• Levies
• Collective management

Coalitions with other media associations

FEP works closely with other publishers’ associations, be they newspapers, magazines or directories, as well as with other creative industries through joint organization: the Creative and Media Business Alliance (CMBA). Crucially, FEP works with the writers (the European Writers Congress) and the booksellers (the European Booksellers Federation) and the organizations managing photocopying rights (the International Federation of Reproduction Rights) and through the International Publishers Association.

At the Commission level, FEP works closely with the Media Task Force hosted by the DG Information Society and meets regularly with civil servants and politicians.

FEP also liaises with many of the stakeholders in the various EU debates which involve the publishers including librarians and agencies representing visually impaired persons. FEP believes it is crucial to initiate discussions with all concerned to see whether it is possible to reach consensus that represents a fair result for all parties involved.