Discussion:
Texas.
Greetings,
What are the issues involved if some one who has copyright ownership of material signs an agreement allowing unrestricted use of that material to someone else without expectation of future payment, royalties from the use of the material by the second party? Does the agreement protect the user from the copyright owner from seeking future royalties, etc.? For example, an author pays an artist to design a cover. The artist retains copyright ownership, but signs an agreement to allow the author "free" access to the design for future promotion and materials related to the book. Can such a contract be workable?
Thank you.
Richard
Answer:
"What are the issues involved if some one who has copyright ownership of material signs an agreement allowing unrestricted use of that material to someone else without expectation of future payment, royalties from the use of the material by the second party? Does the agreement protect the user from the copyright owner from seeking future royalties, etc.?"
Yes.
"For example, an author pays an artist to design a cover. The artist retains copyright ownership, but signs an agreement to allow the author "free" access to the design for future promotion and materials related to the book. Can such a contract be workable?"
Yes, whatever access means.