Today I received the latest edition of _Journal Profiles_, the "guide to
journals & periodicals published by: The Gordon and Breach Publishing
Group".  I was eager to see something in writing which describes their
pricing policies (yes, I know, there was something in writing which
appeared on this list on December 23, 1994 from Luigi Fort, International
Publishers Distributor, Reading, UK. Tel: +44 (0)734 560080 Fax: +44 (0)734
568211 (luigi.fort@gbpub.com)).

I'm almost certain that my copy of this catalog is defective in that there
are no prices listed for any of the titles.  However, their order form
"Journal Order Form" in the back of the catalog does mention the base list
rate.

"Base list rate available only to individuals whose library subscribes OR
to individuals who certify the journal is for their own personal use.
Price includes airmail postage and handling charges...Separate
multiple-user rates apply to institutions.  Contact your agent or
International Publishers Distributor for these details."

In his post of 23 December, Mr. Fort described the Base List Rate:

>Base List Rate - This is the subscription rate without the Photocopy
>License or Network Rate. We expect subscribers at this rate to use the
>journal in accordance with their own national copyright laws. In essence,
>this is the most restrictive rate, but the only restriction imposed on the
>subscriber is their own national copyright law.

I have reexamined his letter to SERIALST to find where he states that the
Base List Rate is restricted to individuals only and therefore, not
available to libraries.  I could not find any statement to that effect.

Assuming that the Base List Rate was available to libraries, I sent the
following e-mail message to Mr. Fort on 31 December 1994:
-------------------

Dear Mr. Fort:

I saw your recent posting in SERIALST regarding the various subscriber
billing rates for IPD titles.

If I understand you correctly, Cornell can ask to be billed for its IPD
titles using the 'Base List Rate'.  I am very happy to hear this news as I
had been informed by your US office that you were no longer offering
libraries the option of the 'photocopy license waiver'.  It appears that in
its place, you will be offering various pricing schemes for libraries to
choose from.

Please let me know where to address my request to be reinvoiced at the Base
List Rate.  I am holding 19 1995 renewal invoices for just this purpose.

Thank you for clarifying the IPD billing practices to me and many other
librarians across the country.

Sincerely,

Scott Wicks
Acquisitions Librarian
Cornell University Library
-------------------

I have not yet received a response to my message.

Have any of you received information (in writing) which describes the
pricing schemes in a more meaningful, perhaps official language?

I'm still holding those 19 invoices, but I'm not holding my breath!

--Scott Wicks

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                        Scott B. Wicks                      *
                  Acquisitions Librarian              *
            Cornell University Library       *
                    110A Olin Library          *
                         Ithaca, NY              *
                       14853-5301        *
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