The scope of rights transferred in an intellectual property contract depends on the specific terms and language used within the contract. If the contract explicitly states that all rights are transferred, it generally means the recipient has carte blanche to use the property as they see fit, barring any limitations outlined within the agreement. It is essential for the transferring party to reserve rights if they wish to limit future uses.
For example: When a novelist sells their book’s film adaptation rights without reservation, they cannot later claim a share of profits from spin-offs, merchandise, or other derivative works unless such limitations were initially stipulated.