This year e-books sales nearly doubled compared to last year

The figures published by Book Trade Market Foundation, show that Dutch publishers sold e-books for 6,14 million euros in 2011 so far. Compared to the turnover in 2010 (3,7 million euros), the sales almost doubled.

At the end of September, the Dutch  iBookstore was launched, which likely contributed to the growth in turnover this year. However, not all Dutch e-books are yet available in the iBookstore. Currently, there are more than 9,200 digital titles, but only 2.400 can be bought in the iBookstore. Perhaps, when more Dutch e-books will be available in the iBookstore, sales will increase further.

Recently, there were many reports about the distribution of illegal e-book copies and in the growing market for them. However, according to the figures of Book Trade Market Foundation, the legal market for e-books is still growing, despite the illegal copies still. The European Parliament is also stimulating the legal market for e-books by adopting a resolution to reduce the VAT rate on the e-books.

Read more about e-books on FutureofCopyright.com:

• European Parliament wishes lower tax rate on digital cultural goods
• E-readers encourage growing illegal market for e-books
• Authors hesitate to embrace e-books

Reference: eReaders

By: Karen Groen