Guides to Copyright for writers
In What Cases Might A Writer Use a Copyright Agreement?
What kind of Copyright Agreement is best suited for you?
Two of the most common Copyright Agreements are the CLA (Copyright License Agreement) and the CTA (Copyright Transfer Agreement). Simply said, a CTA transfers the Copyrights from the writer to another entity. A CLA transfers some rights to another entity, the contents of the agreement are fully customizable. That makes it customizable for almost all cases.
Before Publishing
If you're sharing your work with publishers, editors, or agents but want to retain full ownership while allowing limited use (e.g., for review or promotional purposes).
Licensing for Audiobooks or eBook Platforms
When allowing platforms like Audible or Kindle to distribute your book while maintaining ownership, you grant them a license to use but not own your content.
Selling Copyright for Adaptation
If you want to retain certain rights (e.g., selling film rights but keeping book rights), you can license specific adaptations rather than transferring all ownership.
Ghostwriting (Work for Hire)
If you're writing a book, article, or script for someone else as a ghostwriter, you usually sign a CTA because the client will own the full copyright.
Selling Copyright for Adaptation
If you're selling all adaptation rights (Films, Translation, etc.) — a CTA transfers complete ownership of those rights to the buyer.
Once signed, a CTA is permanent. Make sure you are fully comfortable giving up ownership before agreeing to one.
Where can it be distributed? Specifically geographically and online. Can it be adapted into a movie, comic, translation? Think about the right to publicly read or perform the work. For example at readings, festivals etc.
The agreements on OONOO are highly customizable and allow you to fill in empty spaces in an agreement template. Answer the following prompts with your terms. First decide if you need a Copyright License Agreement, or a Copyright Transfer Agreement. A Copyright Transfer Agreement transfers all rights to the other party. If you wish to retain some or most rights, a Copyright License Agreement might be a better fit for you.