Meredith Corporation and Magenta launch Fortune Italy. The magazine will be distributed in Italy, Switzerland and Montecarlo, and will cover a range of topics from the economy and politics, to technology, startups and innovation. Through a license agreement with Meredith Corporation and Magenta, Fortune Italy will be published monthly in Italian. Fortune Italy will include features from the U.S edition of the magazine, as well as original content from its staff in Italy. Fortune Italy Senior Editor Fabio Insenga will lead the editorial staff and coordinate a team of internal editors and 25 contributors and correspondents. The magazine's first print edition will be available on newsstands June 2, 2018. Click Read More below for additional information.

The Association of American Publishers responded to a request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on development of the Administration’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan. AAP’s submission calls on the Administration to prioritize copyright protections, promote partnerships between American companies, embrace and encourage licensing, reject bloated fair use arguments and other sweeping exceptions that would unjustly enrich tech companies at the expense of authors and publishers, denounce the use of pirate sites in AI training, and work with Congress to prioritize transparency requirements. “The United States is an unmatched leader in both technology and intellectual property, both of which are key to global AI markets,” commented Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “We thank the White House for the opportunity to inform its action plan and look forward to working with all parts of the Administration to ensure that authors, publishers, and all creative sectors are protected and positioned to partner with AI developers to achieve the extraordinary benefits of AI for the long term, in safe and lawful fashion. Among our priorities is stopping the proliferation of pirate sites that are a scourge on American IP investments and an illegal source of AI development.”

One of the largest online book retailers is launching a new program for customers to sell their books and help promote sustainability. ThriftBooks Global’s new BuyBack program offers customers a convenient way to sell their books directly to ThriftBooks and earn extra money or store credit from the books collecting dust on their bookshelves. The ThriftBooks’ BuyBack program encourages sustainability, giving old books a second life. The e-tailer says it accepts high-demand books based on its inventory needs, provided the books are in good condition. Books must be clean, free from water damage and missing pages, with the spine intact, though showing some wear is acceptable.