the launch of the new ebook pledge from Knowledge Rights 21, calling publishers to agree to 12 standards:
- To make all eBooks available to libraries to preserve and to lend to the public directly or via inter-library loan, as soon as they are available to the public.
- To make all eBooks individually purchasable by libraries outside of bundles.
- To make available to libraries pricing terms which are transparent and clearly differentiate between the cost of the eBook itself (Digital File), and any hosting and platform costs (Platform Costs). Where percentage-based models are the norm, this should comprise the percentage paid to the publisher and the percentage paid to the author, and the platform provider.
- To offer pricing for the Digital File on a “one copy one user” basis that is the same or similar to the price of the paper copy of the book, where available.
- To allow all registered users of the library to access eBooks onsite and off.
- To grant libraries the right to receive and host the Digital File on their own platform in perpetuity if requested, and lend to their own patrons on a “one copy one user” model without incurring any Platform Costs. For the avoidance of doubt, unless agreed otherwise, a publisher shall no longer be responsible for or have any obligations to provide libraries with replacement digital files when they become corrupted and degraded, in the case of files being held on library servers.
- To also offer a licence on fair and equitable terms that extends access beyond a “one copy one user” model.
- To not withdraw titles during the subscription period, and with at least 12 months prior notice to both libraries and authors, unless required due to an unforeseen legal reason.
- To offer contracts to libraries that respect limitations and exceptions for libraries and their users provided in national copyright law.
- To allow libraries to develop and freely share catalogue records acquired as part of ebook purchases with other libraries.
- To align any collection of data with library privacy policies, and share non-personal and/or anonymised usage data with libraries to support their own decision-making.
- To provide authors with appropriate remuneration for the lending of their works by libraries
The intention is that the pledge can also be used by libraries, consortia and librarians to shape requirements in negotiations with publishers; and authors to adopt the principles in their negotiations with publishers for contract terms regarding libraries and sales. None of these are unreasonable requests and are all issues we have been struggling with for many years now, as you all know.
