Legal Definitions - publication right

Definition:Publication right is a copyright law that gives the creator of a work the right to decide when and how their work will be revealed or displayed to the public. It is also known as the right of disclosure.

In some countries, such as those with civil-law systems and much of Europe, publication right is considered a moral right of artists. However, it is not widely recognized in the United States.

• An author has the publication right to decide when their book will be released to the public.
• A painter has the publication right to decide when and where their artwork will be displayed.
• A musician has the publication right to decide when their music will be released to the public.

These examples illustrate how publication right gives creators control over their work and the ability to decide when and how it will be shared with the public. Without this right, creators may not have the ability to protect their work from being used or shared without their permission.