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German Court Fixes Book Prices On Ebay

Posted by timothy on from the road-to-serfdom dept.

krez writes "Yesterday, a German court decided that it is illegal to sell books below the prices set by publishing houses. In the court's view, German books are exempt from EU free-market restrictions because they represent an "important cultural good". I guess this is what happens when the rights of collectives, and groups of peoples supersede the rights of the individual to do with his property as he/she sees fit. The implications of this could be far reaching, having an impact on your right to sell old CDs, DVDs, perhaps even art?"

3 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. ridiculous.. by gl4ss · · Score: 1, Redundant

    and will never stay up when taken higher..

    The publisher sold the books anyways already ONCE...

    .

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    world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  2. Effectively kills 1st sale law and used market by Jesrad · · Score: 0, Redundant

    No one in his/her right mind will buy a used book and pay the same price as for a new one PLUS shipping. This decision litterally kills 1st sale law, which used to give individuals the right to do as they please with their owned goods: you're not allowed to sell under the given price, and no one will buy from you anyway.

    So now the german book publishing industry has neatly buried its biggest competitor (their own customers!) through litigation. This is a sad day for individual freedoms.

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    Maybe we deserve this world ?
    1. Re:Effectively kills 1st sale law and used market by Lars+T. · · Score: 0, Redundant

      Blah-Blah. This is a German case, only valid in Germany for German language books following a rule that has been in effect for about 100 years.

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      Lars T.

      To the guy who modded me down from perfect to terrible Karma - Apple haters still suck