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PA poll shows books are source of great pride for UK
New polling from the Publishers Association (PA) has revealed 61% of respondents feel proud when a UK book has global success, as the organisation continues to urge against copyright changes.
The research, carried out by consulting company Savanta and commissioned by the PA, found 56% also agree that it makes them feel proud when a book from the UK is turned into a major film or TV series. Around 61% of respondents feel proud when a UK book does well around the world, the survey said.
The PA said: "The UK has a rich literary heritage, being home to the works of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Beatrix Potter. More recent UK books to enjoy international success include the Harry Potter series (Bloomsbury); Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train (Doubleday); Bernardine Evaristo's Girl, Woman, Other (Hamish Hamilton) and Charlie Mackesy's The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Ebury).
"The UK exports more books than any other country in the world, supported by strong copyright laws. Some of these laws are currently being reviewed by the government and one potential outcome, ‘international exhaustion’, would be disastrous for the UK’s book industry.
"The UK’s current exhaustion regime allows UK authors and publishers to price appropriately for different markets and stops the unauthorised importing of international copies of books coming into the UK. This copyright protection is vital for UK authors and publishers selling their works abroad.
"Changes to these laws could result in significant harm to authors’ incomes, prompt a relocation of publishing businesses away from the UK and further support large online retail platforms—therefore damaging the British high street."
The PA said 69% of those polled agree that it is important that the UK government supports the British book industry and authors.
Authors, illustrators, publishers and book-lovers have been campaigning throughout the year to "Save Our Books" and safeguard the UK book industry by avoiding international exhaustion.
