U.S. Copyright Act of 1976: Primary federal legislation governing copyright law in the US, including rights of reproduction, distribution, and derivative works, plus duration of copyright protection and work-for-hire provisions
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): Federal law addressing digital copyright issues and online copyright infringement
State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation, including Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and Statute of Frauds requirements
First Amendment: Constitutional protection of freedom of speech and press, with implications for publishing contracts including defamation and rights of publicity considerations
Trademark and Patent Laws: Federal intellectual property protections that may affect certain publishing agreements, especially for technical or branded works
International Copyright Treaties: Including Berne Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and WIPO Copyright Treaty, governing international rights and protections
E-SIGN Act: Federal law governing electronic signatures and digital contract execution, relevant for modern publishing agreements
Agency Law: Legal framework governing author-agent relationships and publisher responsibilities in the publishing industry
Antitrust Laws: Including Sherman Antitrust Act and Clayton Act, governing fair competition in the publishing industry
Labor Laws: Including Fair Labor Standards Act and regulations regarding independent contractor classification in the publishing context
Privacy Laws: State and federal privacy regulations, including potential GDPR compliance requirements for international publishing
