Topping rights are the rights granted to an original publisher to continue publishing a book even after it goes out-of-print with other publishers, often included as part of its contract and representing an important asset for publishing companies.
Topping rights are an invaluable asset that publishers use in various ways. For instance, one might choose to keep publishing an out-of-print title even after it goes off print with other publishers for various reasons (i.e: keeping readers available with access, protecting copyright rights or maintaining control over its content). Topping rights are an incredibly flexible tool to have at their disposal when used rightfully and can provide numerous opportunities.
Publishers often utilize topping rights in order to prevent books from going out-of-print, either by renegotiating contracts with authors or purchasing the rights from another publisher.
Topping rights are an invaluable asset to publishers, yet their use can sometimes prove controversial. Some authors and publishers believe topping rights may limit how widely a book reaches its intended readership by keeping certain formats or publishers away. Topping rights should only ever be used when necessary and with due consideration given to any possible risks or restrictions associated with other publishing options available to an author/publisher pair or format; they shouldn’t limit what potential readers see the book when published elsewhere.
Topping right allows authors to keep their book published even when their publisher no longer sees fit to publish it; this is particularly beneficial when keeping classic or out-of-print titles available to readers.
Topping rights are an invaluable asset to publishers because they give them control of how a book is priced and sold; protecting themselves against competition by only being allowed to sell the title at its maximum price; as well as guaranteeing they recoup their investment by selling at higher price than competitors.