Legal help
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Any contract I sign includes a clause that gives you the right to hire an
independent accountanting firm to examine the publisher's books (in
relation to your program only). This is usually limited to once or twice
in a 12 month period. If you are owed money it will be included on your
next royalty check. If you owe money it will be deducted from your next
check. Also, there are normally clauses that deal with assignment of
rights, licensing, and sub-licensing — all meant to protect you from what
you are afraid might happen. In the end, if the publisher ends up being a
dirtball and won't honor his contract, the only resolution is the courts.
Make sure you have an attorney approve any contract you sign before you do
sign it!