“Börsenverein” and SKW Schwarz update model contracts for E-Books
Drawing up contracts in connection with e-books continues to raise questions in practice. In particular, the standard agreements of American suppliers such as Amazon, Google or Apple frequently contain special provisions which must be brought into line with the terms of contract customary in Germany.
In order to make the experience of the publishing house easier in this respect, Dr. Daniel Kaboth and Dr. Konstantin Wegner from law firm SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte together with “Börsenverein des deutschen Buchhandels” (German Book Trade Organization) have adapted a series of model publishing house contracts to the peculiarities of electronic publishing products. For example, special payment regulations were adopted for e-books, according to which payment is agreed at a standard rate regardless of the sales model.
“Modified model contracts help publishing houses to create legally secure contracts in the increasingly important electronic sales sector,” explains Dr. Konstantin Wegner, partner at SKW Schwarz in the field of media and copyright law.
Model contracts can be downloaded by members of “Börsenverein” from their website or can be ordered by telephone and e-mail from the legal department (+49 69/1306-314 or rechtsabteilung@boev.de).