Grub Street Printing Newsletter #11 June/July 2009

Google Settlement

Orphan works are books whose copyright holders cannot be located. Last year the House of Representatives let a bill expire without a vote that would have opened access to these works. Now Google has taken it upon itself to seek monopolistic rights (“the Settlement”)to these works via the legal system.

Global Paper Demand Rebounds

Domtar Paper has announced that it’s reopening its Baileyville, Maine pulp mill due to an increase in global paper demand. The plant produces 398,000 air dry metric tons annually. It closed May 5.

The Bad News is Good News

Borders and Barnes & Noble reported 1^st quarter losses in late May. B&N lost $2.7 million while Borders lost $86 million. Expectations were so low that both stock’s share prices rose after the announcement.

Flat is the New Up

Or so we were told at a Book Industry Study Group seminar at Book Expo America. Overall book sales climbed roughly 1% with 1.8% growth expected in 2010. For an overall look at the sector by sector sales analysis go to http://www.slideshare.net/bisg/bookexpo-america-book-industry-trends-2009 .

The Last Quebecor Story?

R.R. Donnelly, the world’s largest print services provider, has retracted its offer to purchase Quebecor World before it emerges from bankruptcy this July.

Had the offer been accepted by Quebecor’s directors (and U.S. and Canadian courts) Donnelly would have acquired all five of its largest competitors in the past decade.

Donnelly profits declined 92% in the 1^st quarter.

I doubt this story is over. Donnelly began speaking with key participants in the bankruptcy filing last September.

B&T do P.O.D.

Baker & Taylor has contracted with R.R.Donnelly to establish a book “print on demand” division in its Momence, Illinois distribution facility to compete directly with Ingram’s Lightning Source.

Digtal vs Offset 2008

Bowker reports that the number of titles printed “traditionally” (offset) declined 3.2% while “on demand” titles increased 132%, the third straight year of triple digit growth.

Beware of Scammers

Hucksters abound in the publishing services business. Go to http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/, the SFWA site that identifies and details most of the scams and how to recognize them.

Heidelberg Presses

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, makers of legendary Heidelberg presses used by book manufacturers around the world announced that new press sales declined 18% last year.