'Unaffordable, unsustainable and extremely unfair': Libraries battle publishers for equal access to ebooks - Irish Examiner

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by crying and the gnashing of teeth. Following all the ruckus, took our brave kitty boy to the Irish Examiner site. There he found a post about the financial problems of Irish libraries.

 

Big 5? Sounds like big bullies to me.

According to the post by Jess Casey, libraries in Ireland are facing funding issues due to the Big Five publishers ebook library policies. The Big Five publishers are Penguin/Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan. The publishers library policies for ebooks include charging libraries license fees, restrictions on the number of library patron loans an ebook can have before re-licensing, time limits before an ebook can become available in the library, and Hachette won't even license ebooks to libraries. The Library Association of Ireland wants legislation enacted so libraries have access to ebooks with reasonable terms and conditions and without embargo.

 ,

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty thinks this is familiar to what's happening to libraries in the U.S."

 

Note: This is a very, very long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Irish libraries

Macmillan CEO John Sargent Is Departing - The New York Times

Today, when Panzer was washing the Panzermobile after our trip to the Bloody Scotland conference, he found something stuck under the windshield wiper. Flattening it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from The New York Times site about Macmillan CEO John Sargent. Panzer told you about soon-to-be-ex CEO Sargent day before yesterday.

What does it all mean?

According to The New York Times post by Alexandra Alter, there seems to be more to CEO John Sargent's exit from Macmillan than was originally reported. It appears there were more problems in Macmillan than the general public was aware of. While the post lists the library embargo as part of Macmillan's problems, it also highlights recent employee layoffs, employee walkouts and book publishing disagreements. Also included in the post is some interesting information about John Sargent's parents.

 

 Panzer says, "It just gets more interesting every day."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to John Sargent

 

 

 

Macmillan Abandons Library E-book Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard clapping and cheering coming from outside the Panzermobile. Following all the jocularity took our inquisitive kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about publisher Macmillan's library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about the embargo since it started.

What changed his mind?

According to Andrew Albanese's post, publisher Macmillan CEO John Sargent has announced the termination of the ebook embargo leveled against libraries on November 1, 2019. Under the embargo a library was only allowed to buy one copy of a Macmillan ebook for the first two months after the ebook's release. The policy was instituted because Macmillan believed library patrons were adversely affecting ebook sales. With the termination of the embargo libraries will now be able to purchase enough ebooks to fulfill library patrons requests. The post has several links to past information about the embargo and librarians efforts to stop it.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Interesting. ... He does it when all the libraries are closed because of Corvid-19."

Note: This is a long post. Bring two cups of tea and six muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan and the library embargo
 To read Panzer's last post about the embargo tootle over to Macmillan embargo

ALA Midwinter 2020: Macmillan CEO John Sargent, Librarians Spar Over E-book Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Today when Panzer entered the Catosphere he was greeted by screaming and crying and gnashing of teeth. Following all the chaos took our brave kitty boy to the Publishers Weekly site. Digging in the posts produced one about publisher Macmillan and the company's library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about this ebooks to libraries slowdown since before it was started.

He's joking right?

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, publishing company Macmillan CEO John Sargent says there's no end in sight for Macmillan's library embargo. CEO Sargent was speaking at the American Library Association midwinter meeting when he reiterated he had no intentions of changing the company's library embargo. He continues to blame library patrons for Macmillan's lagging book sales. To fix the problem with library patrons checking Macmillan's books out of the library and reading them for free, now Macmillan only allows a library to license one copy of an ebook for the first two months after its publication. This causes long wait times for library patrons who want to read the book. CEO Sargent believes this will force library patrons to instead buy a copy of the book to read it. The post includes several links to previous posts about Macmillan's ongoing embargo against libraries.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty is confused. ... When did libraries start to control a publisher's book pricing, book marketing and book store placement? ... Aren't those some of the real controlling factors for book sales? ... Aren't those the things the publisher controls?"

Note: This post is h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s-l-y long. Bring two gallons of tea, three dozen muffins, a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle and a cook stove for dinner for today's reading selection and all the included links in the post.

To read the post tootle over to Libraries and Macmillan embargo continues
To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Macmillan

Macmillan Can't Adapt to the Market, So It's Forcing Customers to Adopt to It - The Digital Reader

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at The Digital Reader site. With a little digging in the posts there he found one about the Macmillan embargo of libraries. Our studious kitty boy has been updating you on this issue every since it started. Under the Macmillan is only allowing libraries to purchase one copy of a newly published ebook until two months after its publication.

Where does he get his information?

In The Digital Reader site owner Nate Hoffelder's post, he explains why he believes Macmillan CEO John Sargent is making unsubstantiated claims about library patrons and their ebook use. CEO Sargent believes if library patrons can't get an ebook in a timely manner at the library, 8 percent of those patron will buy a hardcover copy of the book. According to Mr. Hoffelder's analysis, the publishing company appears to be functioning under a pre-ebook mentality. As he points out, Macmillan is trying to sell books to and through bookstores, instead of to book buyers. This is probably why Macmillan's sales are down and not to libraries or their patrons. There is a link included in the post to a press release issued earlier this month by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies about CEO Sargent's appearance at a meeting with them.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Mom and What's His Name must not be part of CEO Sargent's 8 percent. If they can't find the ebook they want through the library, they just look for another ebook by somebody else. "

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a chocolate muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to read the second post, bring an extra cup of cocoa and another chocolate muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read Panzer's previous post about Macmillan tootle over to Macmillan CEO

As Boycotts Mount, Macmillan CEO Defends Library E-books Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Panzer had hardly entered the Catosphere when the Panzermobile was shaken by all the booing and yelling and hissing outside. It didn't take any effort to follow all the chaos and angst to the Publishers Weekly site. There our brave kitty pilot found a post about the latest news in the Macmillan library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about the embargo for several weeks now because our kitty boy is big supporter of libraries.

Just boycott all his books.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, on November 4 Macmillan CEO John Sargent had a meeting with Chief Officers of State Library Agencies representatives after the library embargo went into effect. CEO Sargent told the assembled librarians the company will not stop the embargo. He continues to stand behind his claim libraries are responsible for the company's sales losses. The embargo prohibits libraries from purchasing more than one copy of Macmillan's ebooks until two months after the book's publication date. The number of libraries joining a boycott of Macmillan ebooks started by the King Country Library System in Washington state is growing and is said to be in the "dozens" of libraries now. It should be noted, however, that some of the libraries boycotting the ebooks are instead purchasing more hardcover editions. Instead of punishing Macmillan for the embargo, purchasing more hardcovers rewards the company. There are nine links to other information about the embargo included in the post.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... You can't buy our ebooks, but we'll sell you all the hardcover books you want to buy. That pile of stinky stuff just keeps getting higher."

Note: This is a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring two gallons of tea, three dozen muffins and a dozen chocolate chip cookies (biscuits). You should also bring a portable cooking stove to make your dinner.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan CEO

To read Panzer's post from two days ago, tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

Macmillan Library Embargo Update - Various

This has been a tough day for Panzer. He had hardly settled into his little kitty bed, when he was shaken onto the floor by howling and yowling coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile our traveling kitty boy followed all the hullabaloo to the Motherboard site first and then on to The Digital Reader site. Both sites take publisher Macmillan to task for the company's library embargo. Panzer has been telling you about this ongoing battle since it started.

According to Motherboard's Matthew Gault's post, Macmillan is using flawed logic and incorrect numbers to support its library embargo. Macmillan claims library readers are the cause of the company's book sale losses and, therefore, the embargo to not let libraries have copies of new ebooks until two months after publication is justified. The post points out libraries pay three or four times more for an ebook than a regular purchaser. Once the book has been checked out 52 times or "owned" by the library for two years, the library must buy another copy. The post contains extensive quotes from Overdrive's Steve Potash disputing Macmillan's claims.

The Digital Reader's Nate Hoffelder's post, addresses an increase in the number of libraries that will no longer purchase Macmillan ebooks.. The number of libraries and library systems has grown from one to four. More than one library is included in a library system. One of the participants, the King County Library System, has 50 libraries. The post contains links to other information about the libraries' efforts. There's also a link to a notice some libraries are using to tell patrons that Macmillan's new policy is why they can't get a book they want from the library.

I don't want to wash those shoes.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks Macmillan stepped in a big pile of stinky stuff."

Note: This will be a humongous read. Bring a gallon of tea and a dozen muffins for today's reading selections. If you plan to follow the links, bring another gallon of tea and another dozen muffins.

To read the post at Motherboard tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

To read the post at The Digital Reader tootle over to libraries boycotting Macmillan

Macmillan CEO John Sargent: 'We're Not Trying to Harm Libraries' - Publishers Weekly

Panzer was just taking his afternoon nap, when, suddenly, he was shaken from his kitty bed by booing and hissing coming from the Catosphere. Hopping into the Panzermobile, he followed the caterwauling to the Publishers Weekly site. There our brave kitty boy found a post about publisher Macmillan's embargo on libraries. Panzer told you yesterday about the American Library Association's (ALA) letter to the House Judiciary Committee about Macmillan and other publishers.

According to the post by Andrew Albanese, Macmillan CEO John Sargent has released a letter to librarians and the American Library Association (ALA) about Macmillan's embargo of libraries. Starting November 1, Macmillan will only allow libraries to purchase one copy of their new ebooks until two months after the ebooks publication date. CEO Sargent's letter basically repeats the same argument he has been using to place the embargo. That people check out ebooks from the library instead of buying the physical book. He says this hurts Macmillan, so he won't change his decision. The post includes links to other Publishers Weekly posts about the embargo and a link to a copy of the letter. You will want to read the letter.

Who's on the House Judiciary Committee?

Panzer says, "So he doesn't want to 'Harm Libraries', he wants to 'Harm Library Patrons.' Those same library patrons he wants to buy his books. Makes this little kitty want to run right out and buy a Macmillan book."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you want to follow the links, bring another cup of tea and two muffin.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read yesterday's post about the House Judiciary Committee, tootle over to  Digital Antitrust

Libraries Take E-Book Lending Fight into Antitrust Territory - Copyright and Technology

Today, Panzer decided to make a stop at the Copyright and Technology site. With a little digging in the posts, our inquisitive, traveling kitty found one about the libraries' on-going fight with Macmillan and other ebook publishers. Panzer told you about the problems which brought about this dispute last week.

Bill Rosenblatt's post addresses the American Library Association's (ALA) problems with access to ebooks from the major publishers. Publisher Macmillan announced earlier this year it would start a two month embargo on libraries' access to new ebooks. Since Macmillan's announcement the ALA complained to the publisher, started a library patrons' petition and most recently sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee. The Committee is investigating antitrust/anticompetition allegations against major corporations. In the letter to the House Judiciary Committee the ALA also presented the fact Amazon doesn't make its books available to libraries. In his post, Mr. Rosenblatt points out Amazon does allow Prime members to have access to, "check out," read ebooks and then "return" them. There are so many links included in this post, that this little kitty gave up counting them.

My head is starting to hurt.

Panzer says, "This fight is just getting more and more complicated."

Note: This is long, long post. Bring a cup of tea, a cup of hot cocoa, and three muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links included in the post, bring a thermos of tea, a thermos of cocoa, and two dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to libraries e-book lending

To read Panzer previous post about the letter to the Judiciary Committee, tootle over to Congress

Congress Looking into Anticompetitive Behavior in the Digital Library Market - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There our speedy kitty boy found a post about the American Library Association and publisher Macmillan's embargo. Panzer has been telling you about Macmillan's two month embargo on new ebooks sales to libraries since it was announced.

Libraries can get my ebooks.

According to Andrew Albanese, the embargo has taken an unexpected turn. The American Library Association (ALA) has taken their digital book distribution problem with publisher Macmillan to the United States Congress. In a letter to an antitrust subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, the ALA explained the detrimental effects to the library systems caused by Macmillan's actions. The ALA also says Amazon Publishing refuses to sell ebooks to libraries. There are several links to other posts about the ALA's ongoing dispute with Macmillan and with Amazon included in the post.

Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know libraries were fighting with Amazon too."

Note: This is a huge post. Bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links in the post, bring a gallon of tea and three dozen muffins, a sleeping bag for a nap, and a camp stove to cook your dinner on.

To read the post tootle over to digital library market

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to public library system

Major Public Library System Will Boycott Macmillan E-books - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer's trip into the Catosphere took him to the Publishers Weekly site. With no digging at all our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about publisher Macmillan's embargo on ebook sales to libraries.

The post by  Andrew Albanese contains information about the embargo impasse by publisher Macmillan against public libraries. Panzer already told you about Macmillan's plans to limit library ebook purchases to a single copy of a new ebook release for the first two months after publication. The newest development in this embargo involves a boycott of Macmillan's ebooks. The King County Library System, located in Washington state, won't purchase new ebook releases from Macmillan. The library has a patron friendly rule that readers won't have to wait more than three months for a book they've requested. Since Macmillan is not letting libraries buy more than one ebook for the first two months after publication, patrons wouldn't get the requested book within the three month time frame; so, the library system simply won't buy the ebook at all. There's more information about how the boycott will work included in the post. The post contains several links including one at the end with information about a pettheition signed by over 100,000 people asking Macmillan to stop the library embargo.

Somebody has to stand up against a bully.

Panzer says, "This little kitty was waiting for a boycott to happen, but he didn't know it would be his own local library system that would be the one to start it."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links included in the post, bring at least a gallon of tea and two muffins. If you plan to follow the link to Panzer's previous post (and the link in that post and the link in that post and the link in that post), bring a lot more tea and muffins and some cookies, too, because this has been a long ongoing problem with Macmillan.

To read the post tootle over to boycott Macmillan
To read the Panzer's previous post about the embargo, tootle over to librarians' national campaign

Librarians Launch National Campaign to Oppose Macmillan's Library E-book Embargo - Publishers Weekly

Today as Panzer was sweeping the mats in the Panzermobile, he found a wadded up post under the passenger seat. Spreading it flat, our fastidious kitty boy discovered it was from the Publishers Weekly site about publisher Macmillan's library embargo.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, the American Library Association (ALA) has started a campaign to convince publisher Macmillan to lift the ebook embago against libraries. Part of the campaign is an online petition for library supporters to sign. Panzer told you a few days ago about Macmillan's new policy not to allow libraries to buy copies of the publisher's new ebooks until two months after publication. There are several links included in the post, including one to the petition and one to the ALA's new book club.

It's simple.  Macmillan is a bully.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This kitty wonders, if library patrons don't buy any of Macmillan's books until after the embargo is over, maybe the publisher would end it sooner."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a large size travel mug of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post bring a thermos of tea and half a dozen muffins. If you plan to read Panzer's previous post and follow the links in it, bring an extra gallon of tea and six muffins and six chocolate chip cookies.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan's library ebook embargo

To read Panzer's earlier post tootle over to Macmillan

Amazon Breaks Embargo of 'TheTestament' - Various Sources

Panzer was eating his lunch when his food bowl began shaking from all the screaming and shouting coming from the Catosphere. Getting into the Panzermobile, he discovered the noise was coming from different directions. Our busy kitty visited the Publishers Weekly site and The Guardian site and discovered both have posts about Amazon and The Testament embargo. Panzer told you yesterday about Amazon breaking the embargo on Margaret Atwood's new book.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Claire Kirch, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) has been trying to convince the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Amazon for violating antitrust laws. The ABA now wants to use Amazon's shipment of Margaret Atwood's new novel before the embargo conclusion as new fuel in that argument.

It was an accident.

According to The Guardian's post by Alison Flood, Amazon shipped 800 pre-ordered copies of the novel to buyers by accident. The post includes a quote from Amazon which says "a technical error" caused the books to be shipped early. A quote from Atwood's publisher Penguin Random House says the error "has now been rectified."

Panzer says, "Looks like this kerfuffle* will be around for a while."

Note: These are large posts. Panzer hopes you still have that RV you borrowed for yesterday's posts, because you'll need it and its cooking and sleeping facilities for today's reading selections.

To read the Publishers Weekly post tootle over to ABA
To read The Guardian post tootle over to Amazon
To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Booksellers

* Yes, it's a word. Google it. Tee hee hee

Publishers Are on a Collision Course With Libraries - News Breaks at Informations Today, Inc.

Panzer is recuperating from all the fun, barbecue, and jocularity of the three day holiday weekend. His tired kitty attitude didn't improve when he was shaken awake from his afternoon nap by booing and hissing coming from the Catosphere. Dragging his poor body into the Panzermobile, he followed all the noise to the News Breaks section at the Information Today, Inc. site. It didn't take any digging at all in the posts to find one about publisher Macmillan's library embargo. Panzer told you about the embargo back in the beginning of August.

900 copies? I'd be doing the Happy Cat Dance.

According to the News Breaks post by Terry Ballard, John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan, has doubled down on his argument that libraries are responsible for the lessening of book sales. Macmillan has implemented an embargo on libraries not allowing them to obtain copies of books for the first two months they're on the market. As an example he used the sale of 900 copies of one book to a library. Because each of the 900 books could be checked out multiple times, he believed this proves the library impacted the book's sales. The post is divided into sections with librarians' responses to Mr. Sargent's arguments.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... I don't think Mr. Sargent understands library patrons. If a patron can't find a book at the library, he'll just find another book by somebody else to read. The patron is not going to run out and buy the book he couldn't find."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to read Panzer's previous post about the embargo and follow all the links in it, you'll need an RV with cooking and sleeping facilities.

To read the News Breaks post tootle over to Macmillan and Libraries

To read Panzer's previous post about Macmillan tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

Bibliotheca Calls Out Amazon for Meddling in the Library E-Book Market - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer made a trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about Amazon's perceived influence on libraries.

Mom and I like libraries.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Andrew Albanese, Bibliotheca SVP of Digital Products Tom Mercer is blaming Amazon for publisher Macmillan's recent embargo on libraries and other publishers' changes to library terms. Panzer told you about the embargo earlier this month. Tom Mercer says Amazon has access to the company's customers' library usage information and is giving that information to publishers and authors.  He believes Amazon collected the library usage information through vendors such as OverDrive. OverDrive offers online library patrons the ability to read their checked-out ebooks using the OverDrive Libby app or patrons can choose the Kindle app. He wants libraries to pressure OverDrive to stop allowing patrons to use the Kindle app. There are links in the post to a copy of Tom Mercer's letter to librarians and to other information about Amazon.

Panzer says, "This little kitty knows Mom uses the Libby app for library ebooks."

Note: This is a h-u-m-u-n-g-o-u-s post. Bring a gallon of lemonade and a dozen muffins for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, bring another gallon of lemonade and a dozen muffins.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

To read Panzer's earlier post about Macmillan's embargo tootle over to Macmillan

Macmillan publishes a work of fiction - Steve Potash of OverDrive

Today, Panzer decided to make a stop at OverDrive's Steve Potash's blog. OverDrive is the service which lets patrons check out ebooks from the library. The post our traveling kitty boy found is about publisher Macmillan's library embargo. Panzer told you about the library embargo a few days ago.

I don't think this will last very long.

According to founder and CEO of OverDrive Steve Potash, publisher Macmillan's recent statement of the company's reasons for placing an embargo on libraries is total fiction. In the embargo Macmillan won't allow libraries to loan the company's new ebooks until eight weeks after they've been published. In the post each of Macmillan's reasons for the embargo are discussed and shown to be unjustified.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks this embargo thingy is pretty silly even for humans."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a half a thermos of tea  and three muffins for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read Panzer's previous post about Macmillan tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

Macmillan Expands Embargo on Library New Ebooks - Various Sources

Panzer was polishing the outside of the Panzermobile when he heard crying and screaming and moaning coming from the Catosphere. Jumping into the Panzermobile, our brave kitty headed into the Catosphere. There he discovered three sites (Publishers Weekly, Panorama Project, and Library Journal) where librarians were lamenting the actions of publisher Macmillan.

According to the sites Panzer visited, publisher Macmillan has announced a plan for new ebooks distribution to libraries. The company will impose a two month embargo on libraries before libraries will be allowed to purchase more than one "copy" of a new ebook. The one copy the library can purchase will be an "in perpetuity" copy. This means the library can own the copy forever and it can be loaned (checked) out by library patrons. After two months other copies can be purchased (rented) by libraries, but will cost more and won't be "in perpetuity" copies. Nearly all librarians are against the policy and say it limits library patrons access to books.

Trust me. You'll need a sleeping bag.

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks Macmillan really stepped into a big pile of do-do."

Note: These three posts and links are a h-u-m-o-n-g-o-u-s length. Bring two gallons of tea, three dozen muffins and your dinner for today's reading selection. Oh, and bring a sleeping bag for a nap in the middle of your reading.

To read the Publishers Weekly post by Andrew Albanese, tootle over to Macmillan expands embargo

To read the Panorama Project post tootle over to Macmillan library embargo

To read the Library Journal post by Matt Enis, tootle over to Macmillan embargo on library ebooks


 

Smashwords: A Call to End the Cuban Book Embargo

Leave me out of it. I have no opinion.

Today Panzer made a stop at the Smashwords Blog. Our intrepid traveling kitty found a post there about U.S. and Cuban relations and what some consider the continuation of an unfair embargo on "books."

According to the post by Smashwords founder Mark Coker, he and others in the publishing industry have started a petition asking the U.S. government to lift the Cuban embargo. The post lists several of the publishing industry supporters of the move which writers will be familiar with including Publishers Weekly, Smashwords, Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Simon and Schuster and several others. The post includes a link to the petition.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty doesn't get mixed up in politics. Today's post is for humans who do."

Note: This is a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g post. You'll need a thermos of tea and a dozen muffins.

To read the post, tootle over to Smashwords: A Call to End the Cuban Book Embargo