BISG Launches “Find a Rightsholder” – A Vital New Tool for the Publishing Industry

The Book Industry Study Group (BISG), through the collaborative efforts of its Rights Committee, chaired by global rights expert Kris Kliemann, is proud to announce the launch of Find a Rightsholder, a groundbreaking new tool designed to help the publishing community easily locate rights and permissions contacts for U.S. and U.K. publishers.

Developed as part of BISG’s mission to support the standardized communication of rights information between trading partners, Find a Rightsholder is a searchable, centralized database of more than 3,500 imprints — and rapidly growing. This includes hundreds of inactive or defunct imprints that are notoriously difficult to trace. The tool empowers users to identify “who owns what,” connect with the right contacts, and take actionable steps to secure content rights more efficiently.

“Without rights, there are no revenue streams,” said BISG Executive Director Brian O'Leary. “This tool is part of our broader effort to build the infrastructure that enables rights transactions, minimizes errors, and opens doors for new licensing opportunities.”

A Work in Progress, Built by the Community

While already robust, Find a Rightsholder is an evolving resource. BISG invites publishers and rights professionals to contribute updates, corrections, or new contact details for imprints not yet listed. All submissions are reviewed and verified to ensure the tool remains accurate and relevant.

"I was happy to hear about Find a Rightsholder,” said Ellen Hsu, Associate Director of Rights & Contracts at InterVarsity Press (IVP). “We immediately submitted our information because we want to make it as simple as possible for people to find our contact information when they want permission to use content we’ve published. I know how challenging it can be sometimes,” she stated.

Users are encouraged to report outdated or non-functional contact links. BISG will work to obtain updated information, ensuring the database remains a reliable point of connection for rights and permissions inquiries.

The BISG Rights Committee—comprised of experts from across the industry—works to develop, maintain, and advocate for best practices in rights management. Accurate rights data reduces transaction costs, avoids costly licensing mistakes, and makes it easier to monetize intellectual property at scale. The launch of Find a Rightsholder reflects the Committee’s commitment to creating practical tools that address industry needs.

To explore the database or contribute information, visit https://findarightsholder.bisg.org/

Please note, BISG provides this tool as a service to the industry and assumes limited liability for the accuracy of listing.