Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbear_nc
Territoriality -- assurred? nonononononononononononononono!
We're going backwards here. What's next, gang colors for each publishing house?
|
No. But exclusive rights have value, and are jealously guarded.
Quote:
"works appropriate for my country"?? - Thanks dad - I couldn't decide without you.
Look folks, I have CASH - I want to BUY your books legally - what is so difficult about this concept?
End of rant (for now). 
|
Nothing difficult about the concept, save for the "buy legally".
Different publishers are active in different areas. When an author writes a book, there will be an assortment of associated rights to it. Depending upon the book and the deal negotiated by the author or author's agent, there may be separate domestic hardcover and paperback contracts, plus domestic ebooks rights. Then there may be foreign sales to publishers in other countries, possibly including translations, foreign ebook rights, and things like options for film. (I think I know writers who have made more money from option fees from producers interested in possibly making a film of the story than they have from selling the actual books...)
All of these outfits expect to get exclusive rights for the market they serve, and be the only one allowed to offer it to their market. That exclusivity for them is what
gives the property value and makes them negotiate to get the rights.
So the question becomes "Who has the legal right to sell it to you?", as specified by the contract for the book.
It's possible no one does. It's more likely depending on where you are that you could get it cheaper from a foreign supplier. Your local supplier has an interest called "Wanting to stay in business" in preventing that...
______
Dennis