infoJustice

Authors: Enrico Bonadio and Anele Simon

Abstract: Publishers need copyright to recoup investments and maximise profits. Without this IP right – the narrative goes – publishers would not be able to recoup investments and finally conduct their business, which would also have an impact on dissemination of much-needed cultural products, especially books and newspapers.

After giving a historical perspective showing how book publishers have traditionally held the reins of powers in their relationship with authors, the chapter focuses on the tension between publishers’ rights, on the one hand, and the moral rights of authors and rights of users, on the other. It then delves into a short analysis of a related and a sui generis right offered to publishers, namely the right in typographical arrangement of published editions (protected in UK and Australia) and the EU publishers’ right aimed at controlling the use of online press and publications.

The bottom-line of the chapter is to show that an overprotection of publishers’ interests may jeopardise the interests of a wide range of creators, including writers and novelists, as well as users of books, newspapers and other published content; and that therefore a fair balance should be stricken.

Citation: Bonadio, Enrico and Simon, Anele, Publishers and Copyright (May 1, 2022). in Bonadio – Sappa (eds.), ‘The Subjects of Artistic and Literary Copyright’ (Elgar 2022), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4256964 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4256964