Movement to repeal California AB 1570

For those not familiar with this bill,  it revised an earlier section of California’s civil code which governed the sale of autographed sports collectibles by removing the word “sports” and substituting “all” autographed items priced over $5.00 – and all of a sudden a very limited law applies not just to all booksellers, auction houses, book shows, art and autograph dealers in California, but also to sellers who might participate in California events, and possibly even to sellers from outside the state.   The bookkeeping requirements are onerous (a very detailed certificate must be issued, and a copy kept by the dealer for 7 years) but even more significantly, it requires dealers to disclose the name and address of the person from whom they acquired the signed book – which is a violation of their right to privacy (a right which  is also protected by law in California).  Booksellers were unaware of this bill until after it was actually signed into law – to go into effect on Jan 1, 2017.   In October, in an editorial calling for its repeal or revision, The Los Angeles Times called this the worst bill of the year!

There is a petition requesting that the California legislature repeal this bill and I hope that everyone who reads this will sign the petition. It got almost 500 signatures in just the first day, but we would like to see 5000 signatures or more!

Petition to repeal AB 1570

There have already been some unintended consequences of what was probably a well-meaning, but poorly written bill.   Easton Press is no longer shipping signed books to California, and some sellers have withdrawn from the most significant antiquarian book fair held in California annually – the ABAA fair in Oakland on Feb 10 to 12.

We very strongly support consumer protection, but unfortunately this bill, which only offers consumers the option to sue, does not really protect them.

We give an unequivocal guarantee on all autographed books – if ever there is even a question about the authenticity of the signature, we will give a full refund upon return of the item.   There is no time limit on this guarantee.  We obtain many of the signatures in our books personally – other books are purchased from longtime and knowledgeable collectors.    We are members of the Independent Online Booksellers Association and we are bound by their stringent code of ethics.

2 thoughts on “Movement to repeal California AB 1570”

  1. Chris, I am a bookdealer in Calif and signed this petition yesterday but saw your comments in the Abe Forum suggesting dealers interested in helping protest the new law to write you. If there is something else I can do let me know. Timothy Norlen, Bookseller

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