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Know what you ownIntellectual property for authors
Your book is property. Here is what you own the moment you write, what you can license, and how to keep it.
Questions authors ask
?Do I own my book the moment I write it?
In Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, as in most of the world, copyright arises when an original work is written down. You do not have to register it first. Keep dated drafts and files, because they are your evidence of when you wrote it.
?Is an ISBN the same as copyright?
No. An ISBN is a number that identifies one edition of a book for sellers and libraries. It says nothing about who owns the words. Copyright stays with the author unless the author signs it away.
?What rights does a book carry?
More than one. Print, ebook, audio, translation, film and serial rights can each be licensed separately, for a period, in a territory. Read every contract for which of these you are giving, for how long and where.
?Should I sell my copyright or license it?
Licensing lets someone use the work for an agreed purpose and time while you remain the owner. Selling - an assignment - transfers ownership. Most authors are better served by licensing, and an assignment should only be signed with advice.
?What about a ghostwriter or a co-author?
Agree in writing, before the work starts, who owns the book and how income is shared. Without an agreement, a co-author may own part of the work and a ghostwriter may own the words they wrote.
?Can I use other people's photos, quotes and lyrics?
Short quotations for comment or review are usually acceptable with credit. Photographs, illustrations, song lyrics and long extracts need permission from the owner. Keep that permission in writing.
?How does Bookshelf protect my PDF?
Digital books on Cabanga Bookshelf open only with a code issued to the buyer after payment. The file is not listed on the site, and folder browsing is switched off on the server. No method stops a determined copier, but each code ties a download to a sale.
?What do I do if someone copies my book?
Collect evidence: screenshots, links, dates and copies. Send a written demand to the person or the platform hosting the copy - most platforms have a takedown process. For serious or commercial copying, take legal advice.
?Where do I get proper advice?
This page is general information, not legal advice. For your own contract or dispute, speak to an attorney. Advisory firms on Moeletsi Africa can point you to the right adviser in your country.
An education, not a disclaimer
Cabanga Bookshelf will keep publishing on books and intellectual property - contracts, rights, translations, and what changes when a book goes digital. This page grows with it.
