The Author May Sell the Manuscript at Whatever Price He Wishes, and after Publication Whoever Buys It May Sell at Whatever Price He Wishes

Question

‘Amr says to Zayd: “The printing right of the book in dispute should be given to me, because this book was printed thanks to me; had I not put in the money, the book would not have been printed.” Zayd denies this and says: “I made the arrangement with you only for the first printing; there was no promise for the future” — it should be borne in mind that the existence of a promise for the future is acknowledged by ‘Amr — “so I cannot give you my printing for the future.

Answer

He may set whatever price he wishes for the original manuscript, since it is his property, and the purchaser may buy it at whatever price the deal is made. But once the book has been printed and has come onto the market, anyone who buys a copy of it may, having bought it, print it; neither the original author nor anyone else has the right to forbid it.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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