Using Music and Film Clips Without Violating Copyright Law
If you are creating book trailers, audiobooks, or online videos that include preexisting music or film clips, copyright law can be one of your biggest headaches. The first step to avoid copyright violations is to identify who owns the copyrights in the preexisting music or film clip. The second step is to license the rights …
Using Music and Film Clips Without Violating Copyright Law Read More
A blog where the practice of law meets the profession of writing | Posted weekly by writers who are attorneys | Designed to help fellow writers with questions about publishing law or legal scenarios in their fiction
Desktop Reference Books
Join our newsletter. We dare you!
Ask a Question
Do you have a publishing law question? Or maybe a question about a fictional legal scenario in your manuscript? Ask it here.
Selling Foreign Book Rights — How Authors Generate International Income
For most authors, whether traditionally published or self-published, the thought of selling foreign rights seems daunting. The common mindset for many authors is they lack the capability to exploit foreign rights …
Selling Foreign Book Rights — How Authors Generate International Income Read More
Using Photographs of Copyright or Trademark-Protected Content
Most authors, at some point in their careers, use photographs with their creative work. Maybe to bring a story to life. Maybe to create a book cover. Maybe as an …
Using Photographs of Copyright or Trademark-Protected Content Read More
Reduce the Sting of Warranty and Indemnity Clauses in Publishing Contracts
Every book contract, whether traditionally published or self-published through Amazon, contains warranty and indemnity clauses. Authors tend to see the demands made in these provisions as grossly unfair and unreasonable. …
Reduce the Sting of Warranty and Indemnity Clauses in Publishing Contracts Read More
Reference Week
I love sharing great references. This week, here are two worth checking out. 1. The Model Book Contract Fellow writer and lawyer, Jennifer Klepper, recently posted an excellent link on …
Legal Protection For Fictional Characters – What can writers protect and what can others use?
The Short Answer Copyright laws protect fictional characters provided the characters are sufficiently unique and distinctive. Legal protection for fictional characters is separate from the legal protection extended to the …
Eleven Topics Writers Should Consider When Evaluating Potential Publishers
For over a decade, the ever-evolving publishing industry has blossomed with publishing paths for writers. Now, in addition to traditional publishers who typically pay advances, we have small presses who …
Eleven Topics Writers Should Consider When Evaluating Potential Publishers Read More