Define: Op-ed
In a contract, an op-ed refers to an opinion article, typically 700-750 words, that a party (often a public relations or communications clause) commits to write or place with a publication at the editor's discretion. Contracts referencing op-eds usually address authorship, approval rights, timing, and publication is never guaranteed since editors retain final say.
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What Op-ed Means in a Contract
An op-ed, short for "opposite the editorial page," is an opinion article submitted to a newspaper, magazine, or online publication for consideration. When a contract references an op-ed, it is usually describing a deliverable, a communications obligation, or a marketing activity tied to a public relations or consultancy engagement. The defining feature that matters contractually is that publication rests entirely with the editor, not the party who drafted the piece, which distinguishes an op-ed obligation from a guaranteed advertisement or sponsored content placement.
Because acceptance is discretionary, contracts that mention op-eds tend to frame the obligation as one of effort rather than result. A party might be required to "draft and submit" an op-ed, but cannot be bound to guarantee it will actually run. This distinction is central to how the term functions legally, since it shapes whether a failure to secure publication constitutes a breach.
How Op-ed Is Defined or Measured
Op-eds are typically measured by length, subject matter, and submission timing rather than by outcome. The conventional benchmark of roughly 700 to 750 words reflects standard newspaper column space, though publications vary and a contract may specify a different word count or defer to the publication's house style guide.
Contracts may also measure an op-ed obligation through process milestones, such as delivering a draft by a set date, obtaining sign-off from a client or spokesperson, and submitting to an agreed outlet or list of outlets. Some agreements attach a related deliverable, such as a Relevant Circumstances
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