Old guard vs. the Net: Online sales tax push—and more proof that the RIAA owns D.C. and Obama, too
E-books could suffer at least slightly as a result of the growing push for online sales taxes.
Governments and big retail chains are the villains here. What else is new?
Not that I’m anti-brick-and-mortar store—just the contrary. Bookstores of any kind, virtual or otherwise, should not be taxed. Meanwhile I’d suggest that the IDPF keep an eye on the situation.
Wal-Mart will love this one. Small guys won’t. As reported in the San Jose Mercury News, “a mom-and-pop business selling homemade clothing items online would have to know that a scarf is taxable in one state or locality but not another.” Will software provide a solution for small e-publishers wanting to sell directly?
Obama, the election and the RIAA: “Every way you look at it you lose”
In a separate setback for E, the Obama administration is continuing to make the U.S. Justice Department an RIAA subsidiary—via the appointments of Darth Vader-style lawyers from the copyright industry.
On certain copyright matters, I’m reminded of the old Simon & Garfunkel song in The Graduate—about “the candidates’ debate”:
“When you’ve got to choose, every way you look at it you lose.”
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 am
Bookstores of any kind should not be taxed? Really? Well, then I should not have to pay income taxes, too.
Oh, and just because a guy represents a client in a law practice doesn’t mean that he’s unsuited for public service. Tom Perelli is a good man and a superb lawyer. After the last eight years, he’s the kind of guy we need at DOJ.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Hi, Ving. I appreciated your note even if we disagree. If a bookstore is a corporation or otherwise separate from the proprietor, no, I don’t think it should be taxed. I realize there are complications, but somehow the government has managed to deal with them in the case of magazine mailing rates, so why not. As for individual income taxes—well, I’m open to the possibility of adjustments in cases where the store’s finances and the owner’s closely overlap.
Tom Perilli? Alas, you still have not convinced me, given the questions raised in TechDirt and elsewhere. But I’d love to see you write an essay for us justifying the Perilli appointment and the others and addressing the ethics questions. Care to? You could use your own name or a pseudonym. Know Tom Perrilli personally? That would make it more fun, just so you reveal the connection? Neighbor, perhaps?
Like Mr. Perilli, I believe in copyright, and I’m really keen on vigorous action against, say, Pirate Bay-style operations—through diplomatic initiatives and otherwise. Adequate money for that kind of enforcement-related action, too, please! But the RIAA approach has actually backfired.
Anyway please feel free to email me at drNOSPAMteleread.org or to call me at 703-370-6540. I have a busy mailbox, so phone if you don’t get a reply.
Thanks,
David