The Hindu Business Line : Low-cost higher education books hit US stores

IT is a good deed that has turned sour. Expensive higher education books by US authors that were being published and sold in India at concessional rates are now making their way to the US market, much to the chagrin of American publishers.

According to Association of American Publishers (AAP) certain bookstores in the US have been taking advantage of the low pricing to order the publications from India in bulk, thus ensuring good margins for themselves.

Ms Patricia S. Schroeder, President and CEO of AAP, told Business Line, "This is a new and troubling trend. We have met Government officials here and are looking at ways to stop export of these books to the US. These low-priced books, meant for South Asian consumption, are undercutting the US market."

The higher education books were being published in India at lower rates as a special gesture by American publishers to enable Indian students to access the latest editions that were available to their US counterparts.

"These books were available to Indian students at a cheaper rate as the cost did not include the royalty paid to the scholars. About 90 per cent of the price of the book is the fee paid to the authors and other editorial staff," she said. Citing an example of price differential, Ms Schroeder said that if a book cost $10 in India, it could be sold in the US anywhere between $80-100.

This assumes significance as the market for higher education books is niche and smaller than the market for popular books. "If the trend continues, it would hurt the interest of the authors who may then be discouraged from working on such projects," Ms Schroeder added.

Piracy: AAP is also concerned about the issues of rampant piracy and illegal copying in India. At present the publishing business is a $2-billion market, with vernacular and English publications contributing equally. However, the pirated market is also estimated to be as much, or more than the legal market.