Do I need to get people to sign a waiver to include their content in my book?
I am working on a book that will be based on the results of ten interview questions that I am asking of multiple well-known-in-their-field people.
Do I need to get these folks to sign a waiver or some sort of other legal document before I can publish their responses?
Maybe I don't need to, but is it wise to?
I'm self-publishing for what it is worth.
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1 answer
I agree with El Cadejo, it is always wise to have a contract in place. This covers you legally (and to some degree ethically) if:
- You have a falling out with one of your subjects who wants to pull their work.
- A subject doesn't like your interpretation of her/his words and claims you never had permission to use them.
- A publisher requires this in the future* but then you can't reach one of your subjects.
- Your book makes lots of money and a subject thinks some should go to her/him.
- A subject dies and her/his next of kin is not into the project or is so overwhelmed that s/he won't respond to your requests.
* Note: You may be self-publishing now but maybe the book will be reprinted or, even more likely, you may wish to submit some articles based on the larger book.
Always always cover your tuchis.
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