The French Senate has voted to reduce the rate of VAT payable on ebooks to 5.5 percent (from their standard rate of 19.6%), making the rate equal to that for printed books. For the time being, ebooks are classed as the supply of a digital service by HMRC in the UK, and therefore attract the standard rate of 17.5% currently. UK HE and FE institutions liable to charge VAT on sales need to ensure that the correct rate is being charged in relation to each type of publication. For more information, visit http://www.thebookseller.com/news/135485-french-senate-reduces-vat-on-e-books.html, or for francophones, visit Le Sénat's website at http://www.senat.fr/presse/cp20101122a.html.