Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Authors can give backlist titles a second life by finding a new publisher or self-publishing a new edition—but first, you need to secure a reversion of rights. This can be triggered by the “out of print” clause in a contract, when a publisher materially breaches your contract or goes out of business, and under the Copyright Act’s statutory termination provisions that allow all copyright grants to be terminated between 35 and 40 years after publication.
On this webinar, the Authors Guild legal team will explain the various mechanisms for rights reversions and grant terminations; how authors can request a reversion; and an overview of reverting foreign language and other subsidiary rights. We will also discuss what to do if a publisher is unresponsive, is heading for bankruptcy, ceased payments, or otherwise breached the contract in some way.
Panelists
Michael Gross is Director of Legal Services at the Authors Guild. He completed his undergraduate education at Syracuse University where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Management, majoring in Law and Public Policy. He then went on to complete his legal education at New York Law School, where he graduated in June of 1999. Mr. Gross has been with the Guild ever since. He regularly advises members on a wide range of legal issues, including contractual issues, First Amendment issues, copyright matters, trademark issues, immigration issues, and tax issues.
Kyle Maxey is a Staff Attorney at the Authors Guild. He studied law at George Mason University, and political science, history, and business administration at Mount St. Mary’s University.
Mary Rasenberger is the CEO of the Authors Guild and Authors Guild Foundation. Prior to joining the Guild in November 2014, Mary practiced law for over 25 years in roles that spanned private practice, the government and corporate sector, as a recognized expert in copyright and media law. Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan.
Authors can give backlist titles a second life by finding a new publisher or self-publishing a new edition—but first, you need to secure a reversion of rights. This can be triggered by the “out of print” clause in a contract, when a publisher materially breaches your contract or goes out of business, and under the Copyright Act’s statutory termination provisions that allow all copyright grants to be terminated between 35 and 40 years after publication.
On this webinar, the Authors Guild legal team will explain the various mechanisms for rights reversions and grant terminations; how authors can request a reversion; and an overview of reverting foreign language and other subsidiary rights. We will also discuss what to do if a publisher is unresponsive, is heading for bankruptcy, ceased payments, or otherwise breached the contract in some way.
Panelists
Michael Gross is Director of Legal Services at the Authors Guild. He completed his undergraduate education at Syracuse University where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Management, majoring in Law and Public Policy. He then went on to complete his legal education at New York Law School, where he graduated in June of 1999. Mr. Gross has been with the Guild ever since. He regularly advises members on a wide range of legal issues, including contractual issues, First Amendment issues, copyright matters, trademark issues, immigration issues, and tax issues.
Kyle Maxey is a Staff Attorney at the Authors Guild. He studied law at George Mason University, and political science, history, and business administration at Mount St. Mary’s University.
Mary Rasenberger is the CEO of the Authors Guild and Authors Guild Foundation. Prior to joining the Guild in November 2014, Mary practiced law for over 25 years in roles that spanned private practice, the government and corporate sector, as a recognized expert in copyright and media law. Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan.
