Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Publishing Agreement
I need a publishing agreement for a first-time author who is granting exclusive rights to publish their manuscript in both print and digital formats. The agreement should include a royalty structure based on net sales, a provision for the author to approve any major edits, and a clause for reversion of rights if the book goes out of print.
What is a Publishing Agreement?
A Publishing Agreement sets out the legal relationship between an author and their publisher, defining how a creative work will be distributed and commercialized. Under Belgian copyright law, these contracts specify the essential rights being transferred, including printing, distribution, and digital publication rights.
The agreement covers key business terms like royalty payments, advance amounts, and publication deadlines. It must follow Belgium's strict author protection rules, which require clear statements about territorial scope, duration, and format rights. Publishers typically include specific clauses about editing rights, marketing commitments, and the conditions for contract termination or rights reversion.
When should you use a Publishing Agreement?
Use a Publishing Agreement any time you're ready to bring your work to market through a publisher in Belgium. This applies to books, articles, academic papers, or digital content where you need to formalize the terms of publication and protect your creative rights.
Common triggers include receiving a publication offer, starting negotiations with a publishing house, or preparing to release your work in multiple formats. Belgian law requires written agreements for copyright transfers, so having this contract in place before any manuscript handover or editing work begins protects both parties and ensures compliance with local intellectual property regulations.
What are the different types of Publishing Agreement?
- Standard Book Publishing Agreement: Covers traditional print books with standard royalty structures and territorial rights. Most common in Belgium's publishing industry.
- Digital Publishing Agreement: Focuses on e-books and online content, including specific clauses for digital distribution and DRM protection.
- Academic Publishing Agreement: Tailored for scholarly works, with provisions for open access, institutional repositories, and research rights.
- Magazine/Periodical Agreement: Shorter-term contracts for articles or columns, often including first publication rights and contributor terms.
- Multi-Format Publishing Agreement: Comprehensive contracts covering both print and digital rights, with flexible adaptation clauses for emerging formats.
Who should typically use a Publishing Agreement?
- Authors: Writers, academics, and content creators who create the original work and negotiate their publication rights under Belgian copyright law.
- Publishers: Publishing houses and media companies that acquire, edit, and commercialize the works through various formats.
- Literary Agents: Professional representatives who negotiate Publishing Agreements on behalf of authors with Belgian publishers.
- Legal Advisors: Intellectual property lawyers who review and draft agreements to ensure compliance with Belgian publishing regulations.
- Rights Managers: Specialists who oversee subsidiary rights, translations, and international licensing arrangements.
How do you write a Publishing Agreement?
- Work Details: Document the exact title, format, and scope of the creative work being published.
- Rights Scope: List all publishing rights being granted, including territorial coverage and language versions.
- Financial Terms: Calculate royalty percentages, advance payments, and any additional compensation structures.
- Timeline Planning: Set clear deadlines for manuscript delivery, editing phases, and publication date.
- Legal Requirements: Our platform ensures compliance with Belgian copyright law while generating your customized Publishing Agreement.
- Contract Review: Verify all parties' details, signature requirements, and termination conditions are clearly stated.
What should be included in a Publishing Agreement?
- Identification Details: Full legal names and addresses of both author and publisher, plus work title and description.
- Rights Transfer: Specific publishing rights being granted, including format, territory, and duration as required by Belgian law.
- Financial Terms: Clear royalty rates, payment schedules, and advance details in Euro currency.
- Delivery Terms: Manuscript submission deadlines, format requirements, and revision processes.
- Termination Clauses: Conditions for contract end and rights reversion under Belgian contract law.
- Legal Framework: References to Belgian copyright law and dispute resolution procedures.
- Signatures: Dated signatures from all parties, with electronic signatures accepted under Belgian e-commerce laws.
What's the difference between a Publishing Agreement and a Copyright Agreement?
A Publishing Agreement often gets confused with a Copyright Agreement, but they serve distinct purposes in Belgian intellectual property law. While both deal with creative works, their scope and application differ significantly.
- Primary Purpose: Publishing Agreements focus on the commercial aspects of bringing a work to market, including distribution rights and royalties. Copyright Agreements deal solely with ownership and usage rights transfer.
- Scope of Rights: Publishing Agreements typically grant specific, limited rights for publication while letting authors retain their base copyright. Copyright Agreements can transfer complete ownership of intellectual property rights.
- Duration: Publishing Agreements usually have defined terms with specific publication deadlines. Copyright Agreements often involve permanent transfers or very long-term arrangements.
- Commercial Terms: Publishing Agreements include detailed business terms like royalties and marketing commitments. Copyright Agreements focus on rights transfer without necessarily addressing commercial exploitation.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.