Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > Writers' Corner

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 05-20-2010, 01:08 PM   #1
ficbot
Wizard
ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
Can a contract agreement be modified?

I have received a notice from the new owners of a publication I have contributed to in the past asking me to sign a 'rights agreement.' The agreement basically grants them exclusive use of all things I ever have written or will write, for their own use now or in the future on any medium now existing or that can be invented in the future etc. In exchange, they will send me a cheque for a small amount.

I want to keep contributing to this publication but the agreement sounds very restrictive to me. I am okay with them using the stuff as they see fit, but I would like it to be NON-exclusive, so that I can use it too. I am worried about this 'any medium now or in the ftuture' aspect. I don't *think* my stuff is worth that much (it's more a news-ish type thing) but I do not know what technology or mediums might come up down the road so I want to retain non-exclusive use of my own stuff.

How do I negotiate this? Is there any room for negotiation in such a situation?
ficbot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2010, 01:22 PM   #2
pholy
Booklegger
pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.pholy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
pholy's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,801
Karma: 7999816
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Device: BeBook(1 & 2010), PEZ, PRS-505, Kobo BT, PRS-T1, Playbook, Kobo Touch
Part of the definition of contract is 'meeting of minds', as evidenced by two signatures. There's usually room for negotiation, unless the other side is very large. I sent back my last contract, unsigned, with some clauses rewritten, then sat back and waited; they eventually agreed. They may want you to give up some (or all) of that 'small amount of money' if you want to retain some (or all) rights to your own work. My work contract pretty well gives up all my rights to the programs I write because they are 'works for hire' -- but then again, I get enough money to live off of just that one job. It does come down to what you think your work is worth, now and in the future. You might check out the Creative Commons licenses, and try to suggest on of them to the company, but that might be way off base.
pholy is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 05-20-2010, 02:17 PM   #3
Marseille
Guru
Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Marseille ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Marseille's Avatar
 
Posts: 687
Karma: 5700000
Join Date: Dec 2009
Device: kindle
Quote:
Originally Posted by ficbot View Post
The agreement basically grants them exclusive use of all things I ever have written or will write, for their own use now or in the future on any medium now existing or that can be invented in the future etc. In exchange, they will send me a cheque for a small amount.

I want to keep contributing to this publication but the agreement sounds very restrictive to me.
Have they suggested that they wouldn't continue to accept your contributions unless you sign the rights agreement?
Marseille is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2010, 04:42 PM   #4
jasonb57
Enthusiast
jasonb57 has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.jasonb57 has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.jasonb57 has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.jasonb57 has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.
 
Posts: 35
Karma: 300
Join Date: Jan 2009
Device: none
Let me get this straight: This publisher wants you to give them exclusive rights to all your work for the rest of your life? At least, the thrust of your post implies this.

I would advise against signing the rights agreement (as described by your post).

Anytime you're signing away all rights to a work to someone you should be expected to receive a nice chunk of money. For example, an artist will sell you reproduction rights to their work for $100, sell you print for $10, but if you buy the original and all rights they will want $2000.

Just my .02.

**Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, just dispensing advice learned through my work as a publisher**
jasonb57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2010, 06:06 PM   #5
UntreedReads
Addict
UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.UntreedReads ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
UntreedReads's Avatar
 
Posts: 270
Karma: 500000
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Belmont, CA
Device: iPhone
I'd have to echo what others have said. Giving someone exclusive rights forever is a REALLY bad idea. Standard industry rights are either two or three years. Also, contract negotiation should always be just that...a negotiation, not an order.

Best,
Jay Hartman
Editor-In-Chief
Untreed Reads Publishing
http://www.untreedreads.com
UntreedReads is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 05-21-2010, 05:10 AM   #6
neilmarr
neilmarr
neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
neilmarr's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,216
Karma: 6000059
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Monaco-Menton, France
Device: sony
Is there a contract currently in existence, FicBot? Neil
neilmarr is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dell Streak: $300 w/contract, $550 w/o contract kjk Android Devices 61 10-08-2010 07:03 PM
iTunes Licensing Agreement and Weapons of Mass Destruction Madam Broshkina Lounge 49 08-25-2010 07:02 PM
Borders and Sony expand Reader agreement grimo1re News 4 09-20-2007 11:12 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:45 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.