Helpful Articles

Author Marketing Questionnaire -- An Author's Most Important Writing Assignment (Lloyd J. Jassin) The Author Questionnaire provides a publisher with invaluable guidance on sales, promotion and publicity opportunities.

The Art & The Deal of Collaboration and Ghostwriter Agreements (Lloyd J. Jassin) Suggestions and information on working with collaborators and ghostwriters. Based on an article that first appeared in the Authors Guild Bulletin.

Copyright Termination (Lloyd J. Jassin) The Copyright Act gives authors two opportunities to get back ownership of their copyrights. This article explains how authors and artists (and their heirs) can recapture their pre-1978 copyrights. 

Electronic Rights: Structuring the Rights Relationship (Lloyd Jassin)  With rapid advances in new technology, old contracts are being dusted off and language reviewed to determine who controls e-book rights. Article looks at the recent Random House v. RosettaBooks case.

Electronic Rights An interview with Lloyd J. Jassin. Reprinted from Managing Publishing Rights by publishing consultant, Jack McHugh.

Fair Use in a Nutshell (Lloyd J. Jassin)  An easy-to-understand 16-step roadmap to copyright's most important exception. Assess if quoting without permission is fair use.

Final Drafts: Selecting a Literary Executor (Lloyd J. Jassin & Ronald Finkelstein) Advance planning is critical to ensure your literary legacy is protected after you die. This article explores how to select a Literary Executor, and his or her duties.

Locating Copyright Holders  (Lloyd J. Jassin) Database of contact information for authors, artists, playwrights, publishers, and other rights holders. Adapted from The Copyright Permission and Libel Handbook by Jassin & Schechter.

New Rules for Using Public Domain Materials (Lloyd J. Jassin) An explanation on the proper use of public domain materials. Originally published in the PMA Newsletter.

PMA's Commitment to Free Speech (Lloyd J. Jassin) First Amendment highlights from the past year. Originally published in the PMA Newsletter.

Selecting and Protecting the Title of Your Book (Lloyd J. Jassin)
How to use trademark law to create a strong author brand and multiple passive income streams for your book and title.

Ten Common Copyright Permission Myths (Lloyd J. Jassin) A clear and concise discussion of copyright myths in question and answer format.

Trade Dress Protection: How to Tell a Book by Its Cover (Lloyd J. Jassin) Explores how distinctive book jackets and product configurations may be protected under trademark law.

What Every Publisher Should Know About Publishers Liability Insurance (Lloyd J. Jassin & Steven C. Schechter) Adapted from The Copyright Permission and Libel Handbook by Jassin & Schechter.

What Not to Miss When Negotiating Your Publishing Agreement (Lloyd J. Jassin) A book contract should anticipate potential problems by setting down in writing all of the parties' rights and obligations. A book contract checklist.

When Does a Movie Infringe a Novel's Copyright? (Lloyd J. Jassin) Explores the thin blue line between permissible and impermissible copying. Originally published in Screenwriter Magazine.

Work for Hire Agreements (Lloyd J. Jassin) Tips for publishers and producers on how to avoid copyright disputes. This article answers the question, "Who owns the copyright?"

MISCELLANEOUS

Interview with Lloyd Jassin (Kelly Sargent) Explores the nature of copyright and fair use.Originally published in AOL's "The Writers Club."