outofprint

Out of print, commonly abbreviated as OOP, is a term used in publishing and media to describe works that are no longer being produced or issued by the rights holder, typically the publisher. When a title is out of print, new copies are not manufactured for sale, though existing stock may remain available through retailers, libraries, or secondary markets.

Out of print is distinct from out of stock. Out of stock is usually a temporary condition tied to inventory levels, whereas out of print refers to the status of a title or edition in the publisher’s catalog. The designation is not a fixed legal status; it depends on publishing decisions and rights agreements, and rights to a work can later be reissued by the same publisher, transferred to another publisher, or released in a different format.

Reasons for an out-of-print status include waning demand, the expiration of licensing or translation rights, strategic shifts in a publisher’s catalog, or the high cost of maintaining certain titles. Even when a work is out of print, it may be revived later through reissues, new editions, print-on-demand programs, or digital formats such as e-books or audiobooks.

Availability for readers and researchers may rely on used copies, library holdings, or digital access through licensing. Prices for rare or long-unprinted titles can be high, and access may vary by country due to rights. Determining whether a work is out of print involves checking publisher catalogs, ISBN databases, library catalogs, and retailer listings. In practice, a work can be out of print in one market while still in print elsewhere, reflecting territory-specific rights.

Related concepts include in print, backlist, and the emergence of digital reissues that can extend the life of previously out-of-print works.