Can I Change the Illustrations in a Book Translation I Am Publishing?
Full Question:
Answer:
The answer will depend on the rights granted to you in the licensing/publishing agreement. We suggest you read the terms on the contract carefully to determine your rights to change the illustrations, or add a clause specifically addressing the matter if it isn't addressed. Under most U.S. book publishing agreements, the publisher acquires not only the English language book publication rights, but also acquires certain so-called subsidiary rights. Subsidiary rights typically include the right to publish foreign language editions of the book, the right to reprint portions of the book in magazines, anthologies, textbooks and other publications, the right to package and sell the book in the form of an audiobook or book on tape, the right to produce plays, motion pictures and television shows based on the book, and the right to use the book and themes, illustrations or characters from the book for various types of merchandise.
For further discussion, please see:
http://tlc.usm.maine.edu/cli_admin/journal_pdf/vol_000_issue_000_article_006.pdf
