Återutgiva

Återutgiva is the act of publishing a work again after its initial edition. In publishing and library contexts, a återutgåva refers to a new edition of a book or other work that reappears in print or digital form. Such editions may be issued to correct errors, update information, expand with supplementary material, revise introductions or notes, or to present the work in a new language or format. Each återutgåva typically carries a new ISBN or catalog number.

The term is distinct from a mere reprint or facsimile (omtryck), which reproduces the same edition with little or no substantive changes. A återutgåva usually implies substantive changes or updates, even if those changes are modest. Publishers may release several editions over time to reflect scholarly developments, new readership, or changes in copyright status, and libraries often catalog editions separately.

Legal and contractual considerations are central to återutgivning. Reissuing a work requires appropriate rights to publish the underlying text or to reuse the specific edition. For works still under copyright, permission from the rights holder and potential royalties are involved. Works in the public domain may be reissued without permissions, subject to any rights in particular editions.

In Swedish usage, återutgiva covers books, journals, and other media, and a given edition may be labeled as a återutgåva in catalogs and bibliographies. The concept has parallels in other languages, with English equivalents such as reissue, republication, or revised edition, depending on the extent of changes.