Whether an editor will own copyright in an edited text will depend upon the particular situation. It is unlikely that an editor would own copyright where the edits relate to matters such as spelling, grammar, style and punctuation, or where the editor makes suggestions about the text which the writer later implements.

On the other hand, where the editor makes significant changes to structure or wording, the editor (or editor’s employer) may own part of the copyright in the new work created. However, this part ownership would be subject to the underlying copyright in the original material (in other words, you could not independently publish the edited work without permission). Further, the owner of copyright in the original material and the person or organisation you are working with would generally have a very wide-ranging licence to use the edited material without specific permission from you.