ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we discuss practical considerations with respect to legal issues and ethical obligations. Regarding the legal issues, what should contributors consider in agreeing to take on assignments? Is there any room to negotiate rights acquired by publishers and what exactly does all the legal language of rights mean? When do “work-for-hire” considerations kick in? What about ownership issues for those contributors who are staffmembers at publications and take on assignments outside their assigned areas? Learning Objectives
Develop a legal and ethical framework for doing your work as a magazine writer.
Develop an understanding of the legal limitations and potential liability of your work.
Develop an understanding of your rights in negotiating your freelance contract.
Develop a sense of the moral obligations you have as an ethical matter in balancing your rights and interests against those of sources and other stakeholders.
