[BCMA] Publishing rights transfers

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Good afternoon,


Does anyone have any experience or insight on publishing rights transfers?

We are currently looking into reprinting a largely self-published book 
which is now out of print. The book is a tribute and chronicles the 
memories of the Notre Dame Catholic High School which was in operation 
in New Denver during the Nikkei internment. Our museum has approached 
the author regarding reprinting, and although she is not interested in 
reprinting the book herself, she is keen on having our organization 
republish the work on her behalf without royalty.

Here's the catch, although the author was responsible for compiling the 
work and having it printed (her name is on the title page), she has 
given copyright to the alumni of the Notre Dame High School. The author 
has mentioned that there should not be any issue from the alumni 
regarding the reprinting, and there's the possibility of including a 
clause about printing rights to be shared with the surviving alumni, we 
would like the agreement to ensure against any copyright infringement.

Can the author, who herself is a graduate of the high school, provide 
consent on behalf of the entire alumni?

Is the due diligence, in this case, to track down every surviving alumni 
and obtain their written consent?

Does anyone have a template of similar agreements?

Any information you could offer would be greatly appreciated before we 
look to legal counsel.

-- 
Momoko Ito
Manager of Operations
Nikkei Internment Memorial Centre
Village of New Denver

t.250.358.7288
f.250-358-7251
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