Upcoming Webinar - Copyright Essentials for Publishing Your Book Globally

By Stephen Griffin

When publishing books globally, copyright compliance isn’t optional — it’s foundational. Yet copyright and rights-related issues remain one of the most common reasons books are delayed, rejected, or removed from retailers.

Understanding what’s required before publishing can save publishers time, revenue, and serious legal headaches.

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Why copyright compliance matters

Global retailers apply strict content and rights standards. Even unintentional violations — such as missing permissions or unclear ownership — can result in:
  • Distribution delays
  • Temporary or permanent takedowns
  • Blocked territories
  • Loss of trust with retailers
This is why ensuring your titles are copyright-ready before publication is critical.

What publishers must have before publishing

To distribute books via PublishDrive, publishers must be able to confirm:

  • Clear copyright ownershipYou must own the rights to the content or have explicit permission to publish it. This applies to text, images, illustrations, and any supplementary materials.
  • Rights to third-party contentQuotes, song lyrics, images, charts, translations, and AI-assisted material all require careful review. Retailers expect documented permission where applicable.
  • Territorial and language rights clarityYou can only distribute content in territories and languages for which you hold rights. Misrepresentation here is a common — and avoidable — issue.

Common mistakes that lead to problems

Some of the most frequent issues we see include:
  • Publishing translated works without documented translation rights
  • Mislabeling public-domain content
  • Using copyrighted images found online without permission
  • Assuming AI-generated content is automatically copyright-safe
  • Listing content under the wrong rights holder

These mistakes are often unintentional — but retailers still enforce their policies strictly.

How to reduce risk before publishing

Before submitting a title for distribution, publishers should:
  • Review ownership and licensing agreements
  • Confirm permissions for all third-party material
  • Ensure metadata accurately reflects rights and authorship
  • Prepare documentation in case retailers request verification

Taking these steps upfront helps ensure smoother distribution and long-term catalog stability.

 

Learn more in our upcoming webinar

To help publishers navigate these requirements, we’re hosting a dedicated webinar: Copyright, Rights, and Compliance - What You Must Have Before Publishing

The session will walk through real-world examples, common pitfalls, and practical steps to ensure your books meet copyright and rights standards before distribution.

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