Author And Publisher Agreement Template for Nigeria

The Author and Publisher Agreement is a crucial legal document used in the Nigerian publishing industry when an author wishes to have their work published and distributed by a professional publishing house. This agreement serves as the foundational contract that governs the relationship between authors and publishers, establishing clear terms for rights transfer, royalties, publication specifications, and mutual obligations. It is essential for protecting both parties' interests while ensuring compliance with Nigerian copyright law and publishing regulations. The document typically comes into play after initial negotiations but before any substantial work begins on the manuscript, and it's particularly important for managing the complexities of modern publishing, including both traditional print and digital rights. The agreement should be tailored to accommodate specific requirements of the Nigerian market while maintaining international publishing standards.

1. Parties: Identification of the Author and the Publisher with their full legal names, addresses, and any relevant registration numbers

2. Background: Context of the agreement, including brief description of the work and the parties' intention to enter into a publishing arrangement

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement including 'Work', 'Publication', 'Territory', 'Rights', 'Net Receipts', etc.

4. Grant of Rights: Specific rights granted by the author to the publisher, including print, digital, and subsidiary rights

5. Author's Warranties and Undertakings: Author's guarantees regarding ownership, originality, and non-infringement of the work

6. Delivery and Acceptance of Work: Specifications for manuscript delivery, format, deadline, and acceptance criteria

7. Publication Obligations: Publisher's obligations regarding publication timeline, quality, and marketing efforts

8. Royalties and Payments: Payment terms, royalty rates, calculation methods, and payment schedule

9. Accounting and Audit Rights: Requirements for financial reporting and author's right to audit publisher's records

10. Copyright and Protection: Copyright notice requirements and obligations to protect the work from infringement

11. Term and Termination: Duration of the agreement and circumstances under which it can be terminated

12. Post-Termination Rights: Rights and obligations of both parties after contract termination

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Specification of Nigerian law as governing law and jurisdiction for disputes