1978 U.S. Copyright Law to Shake Up Publishers’ Backlists
A U.S. copyright law that allows authors to break publishing contracts author 35 years have elapsed will take effect in January. Publishers will lose part of their backlists as authors use the Copyright Act to reclaim work that’s been locked up for years.
The law is designed to give authors and creators like Stephen King and John le Carre another chance.
These termination rights have already made waves in the music industry, due to a court battle between the Village People and music studios. However, in the book industry, publishers and agents have yet to speak out about the law.
