Copyright for Ebook Products

Moneyland · 07-31-2009, 05:37 PM

I am getting an ebook written for me and it is near completion. What do I need in writing from the writer...??

Something like that "I will own 100% copyright." anything else? Haven't done this before and want to make sure I do this properly.

Any advice would be appreciated. Also when the ebook has been sent it is in PDF and I as the owner cannot change anything in this document. Do I need to ask the writer to send it to me in a special format so I can make changes if I wanted to down the line, but obviuosly the format I sent out to customers will be different as they will not be able to amend anything.

If you can offer any info about ebooks I would really appreciate it.
Thanks alot.

BloggerDownUnder · 07-31-2009, 05:53 PM

Hi Moneyland

I usually add the following into my terms of reference:

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
By bidding on and accepting this project you will agree that:
· The completed articles that you create for me needs to be your 100% original work and free from any copyrighted or plagiarised materials
· I will own all rights to the completed eBooks. You may not distribute the eBooks in any way upon delivery
· The agreed upon bid for this project will be the only compensation due for completing the eBooks

By bidding on and accepting this project you acknowledge that you have read and accept these terms

I would also insist on a Word and/or text version.

All the best

jacktackett · 07-31-2009, 06:04 PM

Under copyright law this is called a 'Work for Hire' and all rights will be assigned to you upon completion. This is very important since the writer has all rights until they sign them away. The second post has a great paragraph - but you should look on the net for a 'work for hire' contract- or have a lawyer create one.

All such contracts also have the plagiarism clause and typically a clause about getting permissions to use any other copyrighted material like photos or images. You should put a reference to such things in your front matter of the book.

Finally - I highly recommend you register the copyright when the writer turns the completed mss over to you. Its only $35 so cheaper than what a lot of Warriors pay for an ebook cover - and its proof positive that you are the copyright holder. Check out:

U.S. Copyright Office - Online Services (eCO: Electronic Copyright Office)

And you can do this yourself - you don't have to pay someone else to do it.

congrats on taking action and good luck,
--Jack

Moneyland · 07-31-2009, 07:03 PM

Guys, thanks so much this is wonderful information.

Would you say that insisting on a Word and/or text version is a way for me to amend the ebook at a later date? Am I right in saying that you cannot make changes directly on a PDF, you would do so on a word doc first of all and the transfer it again to PDF? Sorry if this sounds like a daft question but I don't have any knowledge about this and want to include this in the terms.

Many thanks again..

Christophe Young · 07-31-2009, 07:48 PM

Yes, get it in Word format. Then you can make changes to it and when you are done, convert it to PDF. It's pretty easy.

vnalinks · 07-31-2009, 08:59 PM

Can you not just put a line saying that the book is copy righted?

Regards.

Veena

jacktackett · 07-31-2009, 10:46 PM

Veena,

the issue here is in the US - and most countries via various treaties - the person who actually creates the work is the copyright holder.

So if you hire someone to write an ebook - that person is the copyright owner. The only way to transfer that ownership is via a contract/agreement, which is typically referred to as a Work For Hire contract.

If you simply claim the copyright in the book that does not mean you own the copyright; The creator still holds the copyright until they transfer ownership.

Hope this helps - and feel free to ask any questions.

best,
--Jack

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnalinks

Can you not just put a line saying that the book is copy righted?

Regards.

Veena

Dan C. Rinnert · 07-31-2009, 11:11 PM

Definitely have a lawyer draft the agreement if at all possible. They'll think of things you might never have even thought of.

Moneyland · 08-01-2009, 03:44 AM

Can anyone recommend somebody legal that can do this type of thing? Am I allowed to ask this on here?

Thanks if you can help.

Moneyland · 08-01-2009, 09:36 AM

Makes sense, So would you say that generally looking for a "work for hire contract" on the internet and giving to the provider is sufficient?

vnalinks · 08-01-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacktackett

Veena,

the issue here is in the US - and most countries via various treaties - the person who actually creates the work is the copyright holder.

So if you hire someone to write an ebook - that person is the copyright owner. The only way to transfer that ownership is via a contract/agreement, which is typically referred to as a Work For Hire contract.

If you simply claim the copyright in the book that does not mean you own the copyright; The creator still holds the copyright until they transfer ownership.

Hope this helps - and feel free to ask any questions.

best,
--Jack

Hi Jack:

How are you?

Thank you for your reply.

I still do not understand I am afraid.

I am the original writer of the EBook.

So now what?

Where does that leave me.

Do let me know.

Thank you.

Regards.

Veena

vnalinks · 08-01-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert

Definitely have a lawyer draft the agreement if at all possible. They'll think of things you might never have even thought of.

Hi Dan:

Who can afford a lawyer?

Regards.

Veena

jacktackett · 08-04-2009, 11:01 PM

Veena,

as the original writer you are the copyright holder, so placing the line in the front matter of your book will indicate that. In the US you do not have to register the work to be entitled to the copyright - its yours as soon as you write the book.

However, if you need to defend your copyright, having it registered will help greatly prove you're the owner. For example, if you find someone is selling your book without out your permission - something that happens quit frequently with ebooks - you can send a Cease and Decease letter to the person and their hosting provider. If you send the C&D along with the registration you get from the government then that proves you are the legal copyright holder.

My comments were aimed at the OP who was hiring someone else to write his ebook - a common activity in publishing.

Also, while lawyers might be expensive, if you're serious about your business they are one of the professionals you need on your team - along with at least a CPA. Also, registering your copyright can be done online now in the US and costs just $35 (last time I checked). That's less than what a lot of folks pay for an ebook cover.

See
U.S. Copyright Office - Online Services (eCO: Electronic Copyright Office)
for more details.

If I can help out in any way just let me know.
best,
--Jack

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnalinks

Hi Jack:

How are you?

Thank you for your reply.

I still do not understand I am afraid.

I am the original writer of the EBook.

So now what?

Where does that leave me.

Do let me know.

Thank you.

Regards.

Veena

07-31-2009, 05:37 PM	#1
Moneyland HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 113 Thanks: 54 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Copyright for Ebook Products I am getting an ebook written for me and it is near completion. What do I need in writing from the writer...?? Something like that "I will own 100% copyright." anything else? Haven't done this before and want to make sure I do this properly. Any advice would be appreciated. Also when the ebook has been sent it is in PDF and I as the owner cannot change anything in this document. Do I need to ask the writer to send it to me in a special format so I can make changes if I wanted to down the line, but obviuosly the format I sent out to customers will be different as they will not be able to amend anything. If you can offer any info about ebooks I would really appreciate it. Thanks alot.

07-31-2009, 05:53 PM	#2
BloggerDownUnder Blogger down under War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Zealand Posts: 76 Thanks: 14 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Hi Moneyland I usually add the following into my terms of reference: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY By bidding on and accepting this project you will agree that: · The completed articles that you create for me needs to be your 100% original work and free from any copyrighted or plagiarised materials · I will own all rights to the completed eBooks. You may not distribute the eBooks in any way upon delivery · The agreed upon bid for this project will be the only compensation due for completing the eBooks By bidding on and accepting this project you acknowledge that you have read and accept these terms I would also insist on a Word and/or text version. All the best

07-31-2009, 06:04 PM	#3
jacktackett Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cary,NC , USA. Posts: 958 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 329 Thanked 123 Times in 85 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Under copyright law this is called a 'Work for Hire' and all rights will be assigned to you upon completion. This is very important since the writer has all rights until they sign them away. The second post has a great paragraph - but you should look on the net for a 'work for hire' contract- or have a lawyer create one. All such contracts also have the plagiarism clause and typically a clause about getting permissions to use any other copyrighted material like photos or images. You should put a reference to such things in your front matter of the book. Finally - I highly recommend you register the copyright when the writer turns the completed mss over to you. Its only $35 so cheaper than what a lot of Warriors pay for an ebook cover - and its proof positive that you are the copyright holder. Check out: U.S. Copyright Office - Online Services (eCO: Electronic Copyright Office) And you can do this yourself - you don't have to pay someone else to do it. congrats on taking action and good luck, --Jack
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07-31-2009, 07:03 PM	#4
Moneyland HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 113 Thanks: 54 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Guys, thanks so much this is wonderful information. Would you say that insisting on a Word and/or text version is a way for me to amend the ebook at a later date? Am I right in saying that you cannot make changes directly on a PDF, you would do so on a word doc first of all and the transfer it again to PDF? Sorry if this sounds like a daft question but I don't have any knowledge about this and want to include this in the terms. Many thanks again..

07-31-2009, 07:48 PM	#5
Christophe Young HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 182 Thanks: 16 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Yes, get it in Word format. Then you can make changes to it and when you are done, convert it to PDF. It's pretty easy.

07-31-2009, 08:59 PM	#6
vnalinks Warrior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 25 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Can you not just put a line saying that the book is copy righted? Regards. Veena

07-31-2009, 11:11 PM	#8
Dan C. Rinnert Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: One Second into the Future Posts: 1,818 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 205 Thanked 332 Times in 229 Posts Social Networking	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Definitely have a lawyer draft the agreement if at all possible. They'll think of things you might never have even thought of.
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08-01-2009, 03:44 AM	#9
Moneyland HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 113 Thanks: 54 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Can anyone recommend somebody legal that can do this type of thing? Am I allowed to ask this on here? Thanks if you can help.

08-01-2009, 09:36 AM	#10
Moneyland HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 113 Thanks: 54 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Copyright for Ebook Products Makes sense, So would you say that generally looking for a "work for hire contract" on the internet and giving to the provider is sufficient?