Buying an Existing Web Site

with co-authored content

[coconutz]

When buying an existing web site what issues are there to be considered in relation to copyrights?

Several persons have contributed content to an informational site that is owned by an individual.

Is it necessary to obtain written assignment of copyright from each individual? Or is the transfer of copyright by the web site owner sufficient?

Am I correct in thinking that the registered owners cannot transfer the exclusive right of the others unless it was previously granted to them in writing?

I'm also thinking that if there is no written agreement regarding copyright between the owner and the others, then at best they have a non-exclusive right to use the content.

Anyone with any recent experiences?

[Asbillszit]

Depends on the agreement between the contributors and the original owner. What agreement did they come to when the content was originally contributed to the website?