Publishing

[Lepplady]

I've got a question about publishing in general.

Is a publishing contract legal and binding if the publisher refuses to include their physical address and any contact information other than an email?

Shady? Certainly. But is it legal or not? Anybody know?

 

[kingricefan]

I would run as fast as I could in the other direction.

 

[Lepplady]

Oh, no worries about ME signing with such a shady deal, but I want to be certain of the legalities before I warn anybody else. I can say it's shady beyond any doubt, but I don't want to tell folks it's illegal on that basis without being sure.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...no clue, that would require research on a litigator trained in handling internet cases....

 

[skimom2]

GNT is right--it would take a lawyer to address that I suspect that if you're dumb enough to sign something like that, there's a good possibility that you can be held to it.

 

[Lepplady]

But there's such a thing as an unconscionable contract that can't be upheld because, even if it's signed, it's so crooked on its merits that no judge would uphold it.
I'm trying to figure out if that lack of a physical address qualifies as crooked enough to be unconscionable.

 

[skimom2]

But there's such a thing as an unconscionable contract that can't be upheld because, even if it's signed, it's so crooked on its merits that no judge would uphold it.
I'm trying to figure out if that lack of a physical address qualifies as crooked enough to be unconscionable.

I wouldn't think so. Address or no, if the legal language is good and there is no intent to defraud, it seems like it would be binding.

 

[Mr Nobody]

I wouldn't go anywhere near something that appears to have no physical address, anywhere. AFAIK, to register a company you need to provide an address to certain bodies, even if you're based on the web and draw people via a site or just through email. If you can't trace these folks to a registered company...world of nope. (Of course that in itself offers no guarantee that they're legit, but it things turn sour at least there is a place to start.)
My advice regarding any contract would be to take it to a lawyer who specializes in contract law, or contact a body such as the Society of Authors (or the equivalent wherever the writer happens to live) as they can provide advisory services. Lay it all out for them, and listen to what they say. If a lawyer is unaffordable and there's no professional advice available elsewhere, always err on the side of caution and do not sign anything that could prove to be binding.
That said, in this situation I'd already be running away so hard you wouldn't be able to see my arse for dust.