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Publishing Agreement Checklist
By: Mark Litwak

Parties: Developer:__________________ Publisher:__________________ Entities: individual, partnership, corp?

Due Diligence:
  • Is publisher reputable?
  • Publisher handle this type of product?
  • Track record of publisher

Grant of rights: Ownership of Copyright:

License: exclusive or non-exclusive

Term:

Platforms:
  • CD-Rom:
  • Game Cartridge:
  • Game Cartridge:
  • Online:

Territories:

Ancillary Rights:
  • Merchandising
  • Book Publishing
  • Sequel program
  • Right of Last Refusal

Reserved Rights:
  • Right to use portions of work in other products
  • Right of First Negotiation
  • Right of Last Refusal

Compensation:
  • Advance:
  • Non-refundable:
  • Against royalties:
  • Minimum Royalty Payments:

Guarantee:

Rt to terminate if shortfall:

Royalties:

% of Net Revenues:

Amounts paid:

Amounts invoiced:

Deductions allowed: taxes, freight, discounts, returns, co-op ads

Deductions not allowed: distribution, fee, overhead

Deduction negotiable: cost of manufacturing

Fixed royalty:

Time of payment:

Installments:

Sliding scale royalties:
  • ___ % of first _____ copies sold
  • ___% of next ____ copies sold
  • ___% thereafter

Royalty on sub-licenses:

Conflicts of Interest: conflicts with other products

Best efforts clause:

Favored Nation's Clause:

Minimum Advertising & Promotion: ________

Limited to direct out-of-pocket costs?

Bundling Deals: Fixed dollar amount per copy: ____

Audits and Accounting:

Accounting: Monthly, quarterly, yearly

Audit rights: location for audit? time limit? Reimbursement of audit fees if underpayment?

Reserve for Returns: (10-25%)

Interest on late payments:

Delivery requirements:
  • Object Code only
  • Date for delivery
  • Developer continuing obligation for testing and correction
  • Technical Support of end users:

Publisher:

Developer: direct to end user or consult with publisher

Warranties:Absolute

Best of knowledge and belief

Security Interest:

Termination Clause:
  • Breach:
  • Shortfall:

Arbitration:

Venue:

Forum:

Reimbursement of Atty fees:

Choice of Law:
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