contracts for writers

ALWAYS WORK WITH A CONTRACT As a general rule, U.S. law requires written agreements for publishing contracts and other assignments and long-term licenses of copyright. Two different laws require a writing: 1. The U.S. Copyright Act requires a writing for any transfer (complete or partial) of a copyright holder’s rights on an exclusive basis.  2. The “Statute of Frauds” (a commercial statute adopted in most states) requires a writing for any contract which cannot be completely performed within a year. Most importantly, good business sense requires a writing any time a writer grants any kind of permission for someone else