After more than three decades in the textbook business, the owner of Austin’s Book Services Lloyd Austin says he has stopped importing textbooks this year because of the continued illegal reproduction and sale of copyrighted educational books in Guyana.
Austin, who has been in operation since 1992, told Kiskadee Watch last Thursday at the store at Lot 190 Church St, Georgetown, that this is the first year in the store’s 34-year history that he has not imported textbooks – a decision that has followed years of frustration over the reproduction of textbooks by local printers, which he says has made it increasingly difficult for legitimate booksellers to compete.
“This is the first year that I’ve not imported textbooks,” Austin shared, noting that the age-old situation involves an “illegal competitor.” He said he has raised the issue for approximately 20 years, with the matter reaching a critical point in 2012 when the Ministry of Education attempted to print books produced by publishers he represented for distribution to schools.
Austin contacted the publishers after learning of the initiative which resulted in legal action and a number of individuals and businesses being taken before the court. A court subsequently granted a permanent injunction restraining the parties from continuing the practice.
However, Austin noted that the injunction has failed to bring an end to the problem. “Sadly, because of lack of enforcement, the practice continues,” he observed, explaining that the continued reproduction of textbooks creates a cycle in which a legitimate bookseller imports an original copy, only for it to be purchased and subsequently reproduced. “The reality is people come and buy one of these new books and then go and reproduce.”
He said the problem is particularly challenging because enforcing the court order requires repeated applications to the court. “It means I will have to be going to the court every now and then saying that these persons are still breaching the injunction. And I have no appetite to going up the court step every single morning,” he expressed.
The businessman said the situation has reached the point where importing textbooks is no longer economically sustainable. He believes he is currently the only bookseller in Guyana importing textbooks, making the impact of the alleged piracy particularly damaging for his business. “I have no desire to continue importing,” he said.
The decision, he suggested, could ultimately force him to abandon the bookstore business altogether. “In fact, I’m seriously thinking of turning this place into another rum shop or something,” he joked.
Austin’s Book Store was originally established on Camp Street, near the former Plaza Cinema and opposite the Georgetown Club (between Middle and New Market streets) before moving to its current location.
Despite having spent 34 years in the business, Austin said the ongoing textbook reproduction issue has left him questioning whether there is a future for legitimate textbook importing in Guyana.
Kiskadee Watch attempted to reach Education Minister Sonia Parag for comment but was unsuccessful.
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