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Pryor Cashman’s experience representing publishing clients goes back nearly 30 years. Our attorneys are experienced in representing authors and publishers in a wide variety of literary endeavors, including trade, scientific, technical, professional and school publishing.

Because traditional publishing in hard copy is increasingly being replaced by “information delivery” in digital and online formats, we have become adept at addressing the issues relating to content delivery in this form, such as digital rights management systems and e-books. We have also negotiated numerous agreements on behalf of distance learning companies in various fields.

Our attorneys in the publishing group have strong backgrounds in copyright and can draw upon additional expertise of our Intellectual Property and Technology groups. In addition, our Litigation Group has developed a formidable reputation defending publishers from infringement and other claims as well as pursuing those who misappropriate copyrighted works.

Trade Publishing

Pryor Cashman has represented numerous writers and authors of novels and non-fiction books (including some of the biggest names in publishing) as well as publishers (large and small), literary agencies, film studios and film production companies in publishing negotiations, contracts and disputes.

The firm has similarly represented supermodels, country, rock and pop stars, financiers, fashion designers, composers, comics, performance artists, television personalities, corporate executives, technology companies, universities, university professors, scientists, ministers, rabbis, physicians, attorneys and many others in their publishing endeavors. Our work has included: 

• Counseling clients on preserving, improving and exploiting publishing relationships
• Litigating copyright infringement claims on behalf of and against famous writers
• Negotiating and drafting simple and extremely complex single- and multiple- book contracts
• Planning and facilitating the release of cutting-edge publishing-related technology products
• Representing celebrities who contribute to books or about whom books are being written
• Representing literary agencies that market books to publishers
• Reviewing manuscripts prior to publication in order to advise clients on how to avoid or defend claims arising from the contents of literary works

Clearly, the CEO of a Fortune 100 company has different concerns and options than do rock stars or astrophysicists. A major film studio has considerably more leverage in publishing negotiations than do struggling writers. We have had considerable success in the evaluation and accommodation of our various clients’ differing needs, priorities and resources so that we can fashion approaches and solutions appropriate for each client.

Scientific, Technical, Professional and School Publishing

Pryor Cashman has represented numerous publishers in the scientific, technical, professional and school fields. For example, we have represented a multinational, publicly traded publisher of information for healthcare, legal, accounting, tax and other professionals in more than 200 public and private acquisitions. At the other end of the scale, we have acted as outside general counsel for a small, innovative, privately held publisher of textbooks for use in K-12 education. We are also frequently engaged by individuals forming entities to develop new publications of various kinds or who are engaged to provide content for publishing products.

For a list of some of our publishing industry clients, please click here.