Copyrights, Contracts, and Collaborations

[Kathy Fisher <KDFisher -at- AOL -dot- COM>]

Feb. 7, 1996
8:45 AM

Dear Fellow Writers:

I'm a freelance writer who has been asked by a client to "ghost write" some
articles for a professional journal.  I'm really confused about what
clause(s) to include in the contract to protect my copyright, or do I need to
address the copyright issue at all?  And do I have the right to own the
copyright for this type of material?   I've heard that there are several ways
to approach the problem:

1.  Relinquish ownership of the copyright and charge the client more per hour
to cover any income I should receive if the article is reprinted.

2.  Include a copyright clause in the contract (stating that I own the
copyright) to guarantee future earnings from future publications.  (BTW, how
does this ensure that the writer does indeed get paid?)

3.  Prepare a collaborative contract.  (This one really got me confused!)

Is there a good publication that includes samples of contracts I can use that
would cover the above issues?  Many thanks in advance for any advice you can
give me.  I am new at this and am not sure how to proceed.  I also don't want
to alienate the client -- I would like the client to think I know what I'm
doing but I also need to protect myself at the same time.

K. D.  Fisher
Freelance Writer

New Mexico