ABSTRACT

The record system may also give details of which rights are controlled by the publisher and the percentage of each category of rights income to be paid to the author, either direct or via an agent; this information is captured from the head contract for each title. A rights database could consist of a simple spreadsheet system produced in-house, but there are a number of specialist systems available, with varying degrees of sophistication in terms of reporting options and bolt-on facilities. A word of warning: once a rights system has been computerized, the whole operation will depend on both hardware and software functioning properly at all times. If the transfer of data is between companies using the same or compatible rights database systems, the task will be simpler. Some rights departments and agencies choose to divide the selling by geographical area, giving each person a designated sales territory.