The Publications Problem and a German solution

A recent post on the JIPLP blog drawing attention to the economy of subscribing online to that excellent journal caused me to check out whether I could afford an online only subscription. It is certainly more economical, but at £612 per annum, which would presumably be the same if I was a large firm or just me, it doesn't cut the mustard with the financial controller.

However, there is an interesting line in the subscriptions panel which tells me that members of the German Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (GRUR) are entitled to a print only (shame about that - on-line only would have been better) subscription for £154, which looks a great deal more attractive.

Table of Contents

Now you might have thought that GRUR was exclusively German. However, it seems to be a much more open organisation than that. Its bye laws or Statutes are positively exemplary (even in English) and its membership subscription at €120 very reasonable.

There doesn't seem to be a London chapter, but I'm thinking there probably should be one now that London and Aldgate Tower is to house part of the Unified Patent Court.  Now it may well be that I would be blackballed but given the saving I can get on my copy of JIPLP it looks like a worthwhile challenge for a solo cheapskate. 

I think there may be a flaw in this cunning plan, but what is it?