Legal Q&A: Rerunning syndicated columns (March 2019)
Q: Is it OK to rerun syndicated columns that you originally paid for (for instance old Louis Grizzard columns that had run in our papers a long time ago)?

A: Maybe. The ability to run (and rerun) syndicated material is governed by contract between the newspaper(s) and the syndication service(s) or syndicated author(s). Often the ability to rerun material will be part of the bargained-for exchange and will factor into the syndication fees associated with publication of the material. Reviewing courts will look closely at the language of these agreements so copies of these contracts should be preserved by the newspaper.
Taylor M. Smith IV is a media lawyer who represents the S.C. Press Association and its newspapers. As one of our FOI/Legal Hotline attorneys, he is available to answer your open government, legal and libel questions. Call (803) 750-9561.
Other recent columns
Mystery Plant 708
Mystery Plant! #708 John Nelson 2/2/2023 By John Nelsonjohnbnelson@sc.rr.com Which plant group displays the showiest, most flamboyant flowers? Sunflowers and daisies? Lilies, daffodils, and amaryllis?…
Santos
Stuart Neiman Cartoon: Santos 1/31/23 By Stuart Neiman This content is being shared through the S.C. News Exchange and is for use in SCPA member publications. Please…
The power of enthusiasm
The power of enthusiasm By John Foust, Advertising Trainer There’s a story about a professor of literature at the University of North Carolina in Chapel…
Appreciating every day and every hour
Living on Purpose: appreciating every day and every hour Dr. William Holland 1/30/23 By Dr. William Holland I have a good friend that is seriously…
Mystery Plant 707
Mystery Plant! #707 John Nelson 1/26/23 By John Nelsonjohnbnelson@sc.rr.com A few days ago I was up at the herbarium…
We Need Tree Scholars
We Need Tree Scholars Tom Poland 1/24/23 By Tom PolandA Southern Writerwww.tompoland.nettompol@earthlink.net The January-February 2023 issue of South Carolina Wildlife magazine ran my story on…