Frequently Asked Questions

WordSmith Legal offers services across Contract Law, Corporate Law, Copyright Law and Intellectual Property. We also offer three dedicated services: Contract Review, for when you need a clear explanation of a document before you sign;  TradeMark Registration, where we manage the full application process with IP Australia on your behalf; and a Template Customisation service, where we customise our existing template to your project’s specific needs. You can view all our services HERE.

Our services are specifically designed for authors, editors, proofreaders, designers, illustrators, literary agents, publishers and other creative professionals working in publishing. While our expertise is squarely in this space, feel free to contact us if you’re unsure whether we’re the right fit for your situation.

Our contract review service involves reading through a contract you’ve been given and providing a plain-English summary of what it means, what to watch out for, and whether anything should be renegotiated. If you’ve ever signed a document without being entirely sure what you were agreeing to, this service is for you. It’s one of the most practical and cost-effective ways to protect yourself professionally. Request a contract review HERE.

Yes. WordSmith Legal operates online and works with clients across Australia. Our services are available regardless of which state or territory you’re based in.

Yes. Our templates are professionally drafted legal documents that, once signed by all relevant parties, form legally binding agreements. However, they are provided as a starting point and are not a substitute for personalised legal advice. If your situation is complex or unusual, we recommend getting in touch to discuss a tailored solution.

Yes. All of our templates are drafted in accordance with Australian law and are suitable for use across all states and territories.

Our templates are provided under a single-use licence, which means each purchase covers one use of the document. If you’d like to use a template across multiple client engagements, please get in touch to discuss licensing options.

You can read the full template licence terms and conditions HERE.

A Service Agreement is used when you are engaging with or providing services to a client, and covers the scope of work, deliverables, payment and related terms. An Independent Contractor Agreement is specifically designed to document a working relationship where someone is engaged as a contractor rather than an employee; it addresses things like IP ownership, confidentiality and the nature of the arrangement. If you’re not sure which one you need, feel free to contact us.

Templates are available to download as Word documents (.docx), so you can easily customise them with your own details before use.

Our templates are designed to cover the most common scenarios in the publishing industry, but every situation is different. If you find that a template doesn’t quite fit your needs, we’d recommend using our Template Customisation Service to adapt the template to your specific project needs.

Generally speaking, the creator of a work is the first owner of copyright in Australia, but this can be changed by contract. Many client agreements include clauses that assign copyright to the client upon payment, which means you could be giving up your rights without realising it. This is one of the most common issues we see in publishing contracts, and one of the best reasons to have your agreements reviewed before you sign.

No. In Australia, copyright protection is automatic. It arises as soon as a work is created, without any need for registration. However, demonstrating ownership (for example, through dated drafts or correspondence) can be important if a dispute arises.

Copyright protects original creative works such as written content, designs and illustrations automatically from the moment they are created. A trade mark, on the other hand, protects your brand identifiers, such as your business name, logo, or tagline, and must be registered to gain full legal protection. Both are forms of intellectual property, but they serve different purposes and apply in different situations.

The first step is to document everything; save copies of the infringing material and note where and when you found it. Then get legal advice as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, your options may include sending a formal cease-and-desist letter, negotiating a licence, or pursuing legal action. WordSmith Legal can advise you on the best course of action for your situation.

This depends on a number of factors, including whether the work is protected by copyright, who owns it, and whether your use falls within one of the exceptions to copyright infringement (such as fair dealing). It also depends on whether you have a licence from the rights holder. Using someone else’s work without permission can expose you to significant legal risk. If you’re unsure, it’s worth getting advice before you proceed.

Our pricing is dependent on the service you choose. We do offer fixed-fee services; however, the majority of our fees are calculated on an hourly basis. Please contact us for a quote and a more accurate cost.

Once an application is filed with IP Australia, the registration process typically takes around 7–9 months, assuming there are no objections or oppositions. We’ll keep you informed throughout the process and handle all correspondence with IP Australia on your behalf.

Simply get in touch via our Contact page and tell us a little about what you need. We’ll be in touch to discuss your situation and how we can help. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a ready-to-use document, head straight to our Legal Templates library.