Multiple Copy Subscription Sales - Consumer Magazines

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Multiple Copy Subscription Sales [Print/Digital]

More than one copy purchased by a known subscriber for a contracted period with the intention to distribute to the same group of individuals over the term of the subscription.

Principles

1. There must be a contractual arrangement between the subscriber and the publisher (or their agent)

2. Must be likely copies are received by the same individual(s) over the term of the subscription

3. Copies are paid for by the subscriber

4. For a contracted period and for a minimum number of issues (at least two)

Requirements 

1. There must be a contractual arrangement between the subscriber and the publisher (or their agent)

1. You must be able to provide evidence of the contractual arrangements between the subscriber and the publisher (or their agent) including the issues/period and the price.

2. Must be likely copies are received by the same individual(s) over the term of the subscription 

1. You must be able to demonstrate, through the distribution method, that the copies are likely to be distributed to the same individual(s) over the subscription term. 

Guidance Available

3. Copies are paid for by the subscriber 

1. You can claim copies where payment is outstanding as long as there are reasonable grounds to consider them to be live, good and collectable.

Guidance Available

4. For a contracted period and for a minimum number of issues (at least two)

1. You cannot claim distribution of back issues.

Note: If you’re claiming digital copies, please also refer to the additional requirements in the Digital Copies section.

Guidance Available

Reporting

You will report multiple copy subscription sales as follows, which will be broken out on the ABC Certificate:

1. By geographical type:

1. United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland;

2. Other Countries

2. By total average multiple copy subscription sale over the period.

Guidance

G2. Must be likely copies are received by the same individual(s) over the term of the subscription

1. You might demonstrate the copies are likely to be distributed to the same individual(s) over the subscription term by:

   1. By providing names of the individuals to whom the copies are distributed

   2. By demonstrating that copies are distributed to the same fixed pool of individuals e.g. employees of a particular department or company who can reasonably be expected to be present at the same delivery location on an on-going basis.  

G3. Copies are paid for by the subscriber

1. Where payment is outstanding you may take into account the following in considering whether there are reasonable grounds to consider the debt to be live, good and collectable:

   1. Publisher's normal credit terms

   2. Payment history

   3. Credit control efforts

G4. For a contracted period and for a minimum number of issues (at least two)

1. The contracted period may be a rolling issue by issue (or open ended) arrangement providing the contractual arrangements clearly intend there to be an on-going payment mandate and the sale is not promoted as a single copy purchase.