Update on Distribution Agreements

Since I last posted on the subject of Distribution Agreements back in September 2006, our Board of Directors has made a few positive changes to the rules that will affect how consumer magazine publisher handle their bulk distribution.

The first step was to clarify the rule of what requires distribution agreements and what doesn’t (Rule C7.19). The original wording was that a publisher required agreements for redistribution for “more than 2 copies” in one place. That wording got confused with the duplication rule (C7.10) that also references 2 copies.

To clear things up, the Board updated the text to read that distribution agreements are only required for “3 or more” copies at a single location. But don’t forget that BPA rules still defines multi-copy same addressee copies—or “bulk”—as 2 or more copies.

The Board also amended the rule to now allow distribution agreements from corporate or centralized offices. Part of this rule change requires that each location submit an “opt-in” for the requested copies and that must be conducted at least every 36 months.

While there is no limitation on the number of copies to a location, if you send three or more, you must have an agreement with each location, or from its controlling office (i.e. headquarters), stating that they agree to receive the indicated number of copies.

See the rules for a complete reading and understanding.