Publishers' FAQ > Sales and Distribution > When is a book considered out of print?

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An out of print (OP) title is one that will never be reprinted with the same ISBN. Therefore, an edition that will be replaced by a new edition (generally hardcover by a paperback) is out of print. Since OP is often the trigger for publication rights to revert to the author, it should be defined in the contract (the "reversion clause"). Make sure to stipulate a reversion process that involves written requests from the author for reprintings, so that rights cannot revert away from you passively.

Your distributor will announce a title as OP to the trade in Publishers Weekly, giving the date until which returns will be accepted, usually six months from the OP date. The title's status is changed to OP in the database and orders are no longer taken. You should tell them what to do with remaining stock: send back, remainder, recycle, donate, or sell to the author.