Press Release - ASA tackles Fraud

["Rollo Turner" <rollo.turner@dsl.pipex.com>]

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate Release
12 February 2007

ASA COUNTERS FRAUD

The ASA (Association of Subscription Agents and Intermediaries) 
is stepping up its campaign to counter fraud in the subscription 
industry.

Fraudulent Trading in Personal Subscriptions

In recent years the practice of entering personal subscriptions 
on behalf of individuals who may not even exist, and then 
reselling those journal subscriptions to libraries has reached 
substantial proportions in some parts of the world, but this 
practice goes on in all markets to a greater or lesser degree. 
The practice does not just harm the publishers, who clearly lose 
considerable sums as a result, it also seriously damages 
subscription agents' business and the distribution chain. This is 
because legitimate businesses cannot hope to compete with others 
who buy at personal rates and sell at institutional rates, given 
the large price difference between the two.

Rollo Turner, Secretary General of the ASA stated "This 
fraudulent practice has a major impact on the business of ASA 
members since only ASA Members sign up to the ASA Guidelines 
specifically prohibiting this practice. Libraries should 
therefore be aware that only ASA members can give a guarantee of 
good practice in this regard with the standing of their trade 
association behind it."

New International Guidelines for Journal Subscriptions

This new document sets out best practice in the supply of 
periodicals under contract to government, corporate and academic 
organisations, with specific emphasis on the needs of the Middle 
East region. The newly formed Middle East Branch of the ASA is 
sending the International Guidelines for Journal Subscriptions to 
libraries issuing requests for tenders so that they have a 
standard by which to judge the proposals submitted and criteria 
for measuring the effectiveness of their chosen partner. The 
Middle East section of the ASA will also be sending all libraries 
issuing contracts the publishers' list prices for the journals 
forming the basis of the tender document so that they are aware 
of the real prices of journals for this market.

The Guidelines are capable of being adapted to the needs of other 
markets and other regions. The ASA will be working with members 
and other organisations around the world to combat fraud through 
these and other means.

About the Middle East Branch of the ASA

The ASA formed the Middle East Branch, hosted by ACML, to observe 
subscriptions industry in the Middle East countries, to help 
members in the region counter the unethical trading practices 
sometimes found in this region, and to introduce the ASA to the 
library and agent communities in these countries. To assist in 
this work The Middle East Branch created the Guidelines for 
Journal Subscriptions to assist customers handle contract 
subscription operations. These Guidelines have been distributed 
in Arabic and English amongst key libraries throughout the region 
and to subscription agents in the Middle East. The International 
Guidelines reflect Middle East practice and are subject to change 
for other regions.

Further details on
http://www.subscription-agents.org/guidelines/IGJS.html and
http://www.subscription-agents.org/news/Fraud.html

Or contact
Rollo Turner, Secretary General, ASA at the address below.

Rollo Turner
Secretary General
Association of Subscription Agents and Intermediaries
10 Lime Avenue
High Wycombe
Bucks HP11 1DP
UK
+44 (0)1494 534778
www.subscription-agents.org
rollo.turner@dsl.pipex.com