13.03.2007

Research shows authors struggle to survive

New research (pdf file) commissioned by the Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society (ALCS) has revealed that most British authors struggle to make enough money to survive and are worse off than their German counterparts.

ALCS commissioned the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) at Bournemouth University to conduct research into authors’ earnings in the UK compared with those of German authors. The results are based on a survey of 25,000 authors in the two countries. The research reveals that the typical UK author earns 33% less than the national average wage and 60% of professional writers need another job to supplement their income.

The first ten years are the toughest of a writers’ life, the research shows. The typical earnings of a British writer aged between 25 & 34 are only £5,000 - a third less than those in Germany.

Of course, some writers are doing very well, but they are a minority: the top 10% of authors earn more than 50% of total income.

ALCS are using the research as part of their campaign to increase copyright protection. “Fees due to writers for the re-use of their work related to their copyright are indisputably a vital source of income,” says Owen Atkinson, CEO of ALCS. “The real question for all of us is how to safeguard our creative heritage and ensure that our writers can not only survive, but thrive.” 

Moral rights are also seen as a key issue. "The statutory regime designed to promote and protect an author’s name and reputation – moral rights – serves German authors far better than their UK counterparts," Atkinson continues. "The German rights are inalienable; the UK rights are subject to numerous exceptions and limitations and may be waived."

You can watch a recording of the ALCS debate on copyright, Fair Trade or Foul Play, online: Part One; Part Two. You will need Windows Media Player (WMP) to view these files: download WMP 11.