Captive Unicorn Publications

James D. Macdonald · May 2, 2013

HapiSofi said:
But they're not in a position to exploit many of those rights. Are there provisions for them selling rights to other companies? If so, do they give you a cut of the take?

Is there a reversion clause, or is it seven years no matter what?

Captive Unicorn may not be able to exploit the Cupcake Wrapper Rights, but it looks to me like Liberator can ... in case they wind up with a best-seller on their hands and want to market a Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Vibrator, Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Lube, and Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Fur-Lined Handcuffs.

Bogna · May 3, 2013

James D. Macdonald said:
Captive Unicorn may not be able to exploit the Cupcake Wrapper Rights, but it looks to me like Liberator can ... in case they wind up with a best-seller on their hands and want to market a Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Vibrator, Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Lube, and Fifty-Shades-of-Grape (TM) Fur-Lined Handcuffs.

Yup. The contract is NOT with CU, it is with Liberator.

shaldna said:
This has me a little concerned - I don't like the way you said 'my understanding' - contracts shouldn't be open to interpretation. Did you get your lawyer or agent to look at it before you signed?

I don't have an agent, nor can I afford a lawyer. All it says in the contract is that they (Liberator) have the rights to all that junk. No terms about if I would get paid for any of it.

shaldna · May 3, 2013

Bogna said:
I don't have an agent, nor can I afford a lawyer. All it says in the contract is that they (Liberator) have the rights to all that junk. No terms about if I would get paid for any of it.

This is EXACTLY why you need to get someone else to look at the contract for you. If you can't afford a lawyer or don't have an agent, there are some societies that will look at the contract for you for free or for a small fee.

Bogna · Aug 29, 2015

My short story came out on Friday! I'm happy with the Captive Unicorn side of things, but not the Liberator side.

Topaz044 · Aug 29, 2015

shaldna said:
This is EXACTLY why you need to get someone else to look at the contract for you. If you can't afford a lawyer or don't have an agent, there are some societies that will look at the contract for you for free or for a small fee.

Also people who could help for free on Absolute Write I'm sure

Seven years does seem like a long time. Most contracts I've seen are between one year to three.

CaoPaux · Apr 6, 2018

TW ceased Aug '15, and site went down mid-'16. (Domain belongs to someone else now.)

Captive Unicorn Publications

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Bogna

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

Bogna

Topaz044

Resident Zombie

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless