ABSTRACT
These are the sale of rights to key English-language markets for a British publisher; these may include the United States, Canada, Australasia and South Africa, while for an American publisher there may be a need to place rights for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth markets. The categories of books most eligible for licensing may range from highly illustrated books on topics such as gardening, cookery, handicrafts, art and photography; illustrated and non-illustrated children’s books; fiction; biographies and autobiographies; popular reference topics; self-help, health and lifestyle books, through to business books (professional and popular) and specialized academic and professional books. The trend towards consolidation within large multinational groups con-
tinues. Publishers operating in this way may have no need to make licensing arrangements in key English-language markets; they may have the facilities to distribute a single English-language edition worldwide through subsidiary or associate companies within their own group. An alternative policy may be to negotiate internal licence arrangements within the group; this may be a prerequisite for a multinational to acquire the rights, although such arrangements are not always the best deal for the author, who will then receive payment in the form of an agreed share of the licence revenue. On the other hand, it may be that the subsidiary or associate company in
one market is not the most appropriate channel for all types of publication produced, and in such cases it may still be appropriate to seek an external rights partner. Many smaller publishing houses do not have their own operations in the major English-language markets overseas, and hence they may seek a distribution arrangement for stock of their own edition, or some type of rights deal. The most significant business in this area of licensing is undoubtedly
between British and American publishers, but licensing separately to other important English-language markets may be worth considering for books with a local potential. Canada, Australasia and South Africa have long been regarded as part of the British Commonwealth territory, which traditionally formed part of the British publisher’s exclusive market. However, local
publishing industries in these countries have now developed to such an extent that it can no longer be assumed that the markets can always be best serviced by a distribution arrangement.
