The Code and licences: what legal framework and what practices for digital book purchasing?

As a legal framework for the sale of e-books develops in France, a legislative bill on retail price maintenance for e-books is attempting to draw up regulations for the sector. There will also be other factors with an impact on contracts between local authorities and suppliers. In parallel, the increasingly restrictive rules governing public procurement mean that a delicate balance will have to be reached between the needs of libraries, regulatory constraints, and the market. Libraries must familiarise themselves with these new conditions. In a segmented market, familiarity with the code governing public procurement gives libraries room for negotiation and more choice in selecting their service providers.
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