What Does Your Contract Allow Your Publisher to Do?

In her 2025 TAA Virtual Conference session, “Can My Publisher Really Do That?”, Brenda Ulrich, an intellectual property attorney with Archstone Law, said that authors often ask her questions that boil down to “can my publisher do that?”, but what they’re really asking is, “what does my contract allow my publisher to do?”.

“At the end of the day, the rules of your relationship with your publisher come down to what’s in the contract,” she said. “That’s why it is really important to carefully negotiate a contract from the start and make sure that from the start you understand what it means. That way, when things get dicey and divisive, the contract is the road map that you, the publisher, your lawyer, and ultimately, perhaps even a court, will look at to determine whether you or your publisher can ‘do that.’”

She shared some of the most common questions she hears from authors. Here are two:

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2025 TAA Virtual Conference: A Resounding Success

We’re thrilled to share that the 2025 TAA Conference on Textbook & Academic Authoring was a tremendous success — and it’s all thanks to our incredible attendees, speakers, sponsors, and staff who made this event truly special.

Held virtually June 9-10, this year’s conference brought together textbook and academic authors from across the country for two days of learning, connection, and inspiration. With 147 participants and a lineup of close to two dozen expert-led sessions, the event offered something valuable for every stage of the author journey — from first-time writers to seasoned scholars.

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An Interview with 2025 TAA Conference Keynote Speaker Gerald Friedland on the Future of AI and Textbook Publishing

What happens when a veteran mathematics textbook author and a leading AI scientist exchange ideas on the future of textbook publishing? In anticipation of his namesake keynote at TAA’s 2025 Virtual Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference, Michael Sullivan connected with Gerald Friedland—textbook author and AI Scientist at Amazon AWS—for a thoughtful conversation on artificial intelligence, authorship, and the evolving landscape of academic publishing. Friedland will expand on these ideas in his session, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Textbook Publishing: Opportunities and Challenges,” on Friday, June 6, from 9–10 a.m. ET.

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What Authors Need to Know About Cengage Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

On November 24, 2024, the federal district court in New York granted preliminary approval to a $20,990,000 settlement of claims of royalty underpayment by Cengage Learning, Inc., in a long-running lawsuit brought on behalf of Cengage textbook authors by the class action law firm Susman Godfrey. There is a January 22, 2025 deadline for any authors wish to opt out of the class or to object to the settlement.

Cengage authors have asked us various questions about the settlement. Zick Rubin, attorney at the  Archstone Law Group and long-time TAA member (zrubin@archstonelaw.com), has provided some answers.

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Top Hat Sponsoring 2025 TAA Conference on Textbook & Academic Authoring

A big thank you to Top Hat for sponsoring the 2025 TAA Virtual Conference on Textbook & Academic Authoring at the Bronze level.

Top Hat’s mission is to spark better teaching and learning for a brighter world. Its dynamic courseware helps educators deliver more engaging, relevant and inclusive learning experiences in and outside of the classroom, so all students can succeed. Its extensive catalog of interactive eTexts features titles across all major disciplines, optimized for active learning. With Top Hat Custom Solutions, its experienced team helps you build the exact textbook you need, whether it’s by creating original material, customizing existing content, personalizing OER, or mixing and matching. Their instructional design and project management expertise makes for a smooth process to create interactive course materials that meet your affordability goals and timeline. With unparalleled support, Top Hat is your partner in transforming engagement wherever and whenever learning takes place. Managing Director Donna Battista is a TAA Board Member. 

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Cengage Group Announces First Half Fiscal Year 2025 Results

Cengage Group, a leading global education and technology company, reported its financial results for the second quarter and first half of Fiscal Year 2025, ended September 30, 2024.

Adjusted Cash Revenue for the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 was $841 million, flat against a high comparative which benefitted from earlier ordering and favorable timing of several large deals. Adjusted Cash EBITDA for the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 was $323 million, an increase of 8 percent over the first half of Fiscal Year 2024. Operating cash flow was $128 million, more than double the $60 million in the prior period.

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