Published materials are very common offerings from NPOs. Published media includes media in the form of movies, books, compact discs or even downloadable content.
Media does not have to be published by the NPO. It does not even have to be published for the NPO, because though IRS regulations stipulate that a nonprofit must share research and information freely, this does not mean that an organization’s unique presentation of research needs to be given away. Feeder organizations can work in conjunction with an NPO to offer their information with distinctive presentation and packaging. For example, while Public Television may be a nonprofit organization, the companion books that accompany particular television series may be purchased at bookstores. The profits from these sales then go to support the station or program. These books and media materials may also be used as incentives (during pledge week, for example) to increase viewer support of the station.
A nonprofit can do many things with one article of intellectual property. It benefits an organization to retain copyright on work that it commissions for fund-raising purposes, because future revenue can be earned on these commissions.
