Free e-book lending slashes authors’ earnings in Germany, study finds
A new study has revealed the financial strain e-lending places on authors and publishers in Germany. Conducted by Benoît Le Chuiton, the research shows that free e-book borrowing from public libraries cuts deeply into book sales and author earnings. The findings have sparked calls for fairer licensing models across Europe.
The two-year study examined how e-lending affects the consumer market. It found that increased borrowing of e-books leads to a sharp drop in both print and digital sales. Wealthier, well-educated readers—who borrow the most—spend far less on buying books once they access free library e-books.
A round table hosted by the German government brought together authors, publishers, booksellers, and librarians to discuss the issue. Their talks produced ten recommendations, but the study warns that extending Public Lending Rights (PLR) to cover e-lending could cost the German book industry up to €170 million. Currently, authors and publishers already subsidise the state’s educational goals through the existing PLR system, yet license fees for e-lending fail to cover their losses.
The European Writers’ Council (EWC) has now backed the study’s conclusions. It is pushing for better pay for authors and clearer, more sustainable licensing rules for e-lending. The EWC also wants other European nations to adopt Germany’s approach in tackling the problem.
The study provides hard evidence of how free e-lending reduces authors’ incomes and weakens the book market. Without changes to licensing and remuneration, the financial burden on writers and publishers looks set to grow. The EWC’s support signals growing pressure for reform across Europe.
