Territory and language rights
This clause states that the publisher has the exclusive right to publish, sell, and distribute your book in every country and in every language around the
In plain English
This clause states that the publisher has the exclusive right to publish, sell, and distribute your book in every country and in every language around the globe.
What it means in practice
In practice, this means the publisher has control over where and in what languages your book is sold. They can sell it in any country and have the right to license translations. This can affect your ability to sell or license your book in different markets or languages independently.
What's standard
It is standard for publishers to request world rights, but authors can negotiate for more limited rights, such as North America only or specific languages.
Red flags
A clause that grants "exclusive world rights" without any limitations.
Lack of a reversion clause if the book goes out of print in certain territories.
No mention of royalty rates for foreign sales or translations.
What to ask for instead
Consider asking for a more limited grant, such as "North American rights only" or "English language rights only," to retain control over other markets and languages. Alternatively, negotiate for a higher royalty rate on foreign sales or translations.
This is information, not legal advice. Contracts turn on their exact wording and your circumstances — before you sign, have a publishing lawyer or a body like the Society of Authors or the Authors Guild review the actual document.