Last month the French government introduced a minimum €3 delivery charge on the delivery of books from on-line sellers.

The charge applies to the purchase of new books (only), where the total cost of the books is less than €35.

Where the cost of the books is equal to, or costs more than, €35, on-line retailers can deliver for a minimum of €0.1, a rule has been in place since 2014.

Booksellers in France continue to complain of the unfair competition from on-line giants such as Amazon, whom they consider are able to sell books on a loss-making basis in order to attract customers.

Although they have welcomed the move, they state that the minimum charge should be higher – at least €4.50 – as their own delivery costs average around €7 a book.

However, the government accepted the recommendation of the electronic communications authority - Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques (ARCEP) - on the level of the charge. In an opinion delivered in May, ARCEP stated that: "The almost free home delivery of books purchased remotely involves both economic and ecological issues. Libraries face a serious distortion of competition, which must be addressed."

The move by the government has been criticized by the European Commission, who may yet impose sanctions if it is not withdrawn. They have stated that "The French government has not sufficiently demonstrated that the increase in shipping costs would serve to maintain a dense and diversified network of bookstores."

Not surprisingly, Amazon have responded by launching a legal action: "This measure penalizes readers, authors and reading in general," stated Frédéric Duval, CEO of the group.