Recent news via the grapevine.
“Simon & Schuster has changed its standard contract language in an
attempt to retain exclusive control of books even after they have
gone out of print. Until now, Simon & Schuster, like all other major
trade publishers, has followed the traditional practice in which
rights to a work revert to the author if the book falls out of print
or if its sales are low.
The publisher is signaling that it will no longer include minimum
sales requirements for a work to be considered in print. Simon &
Schuster is apparently seeking nothing less than an exclusive grant
of rights in perpetuity. Effectively, the publisher would co-own
your copyright.”