Print Unit Sales Up 7.9% in Early October (publishersweekly.com)

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) welcomes the release of the 2021 Special 301 Report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The report, which highlights key markets in which publishers have significant copyright concerns and face market-access barriers, is a critically important tool for policymakers to use in identifying issues that impede the ability of U.S. copyright owners to compete in foreign markets. China is once again listed as a Priority Watch List country, as online piracy and the sale of counterfeit products on ecommerce sites continue to be significant problems. Canada also remains on the Watch List, with the Report noting that the U.S. government “remains deeply troubled by the ambiguous education-related exception added to the copyright law in 2012, which reportedly has significantly damaged the market for educational publishers and authors.”

The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) is calling for entries to the British Book Design and Production Awards 2023 with two brand new categories for Innovative and Sustainable Books. As one of the most prestigious and popular literary events of the year, these are the only industry awards to promote and celebrate the excellence and craftsmanship of the British book design and production industry. All books published between 1 July 2022 and 7 July 2023 are eligible for entry in this year’s awards. There are 18 categories that represent the many various forms books can take. These include everything from Best British Book, Children’s Trade to Sustainable Books categories.

*Fourth quarter revenues were $2.43 billion, compared to $2.67 billion in the prior year, reflecting the absence of the extra week in the prior year and the negative impact from foreign currency fluctuations *Net loss in the quarter was $(32) million, inclusive of $166 million related to higher non-cash write- downs and restructuring charges, compared to net income of $127 million in the prior year, which included a $149 million tax benefit *Fourth quarter Total Segment EBITDA was $341 million, compared to $315 million in the prior year *Digital revenues accounted for over 50% of total revenues for the full year, marking a key inflection point in the transformation of the Company