Release windows & exploitation models · Working
Holdback
ELI5
A restriction delaying or preventing another exploitation form during a defined period.
Used in conversation
“Has legal checked holdback for this version of the agreement?”
Pitch context
You may encounter this in a series pitch, pilot process, writers' room or commissioning conversation.
Why it matters: Explains who controls, pays for, approves, exploits or bears risk around a project.
Caution
Meaning and consequences may change by contract, collective agreement, territory or law. This entry is orientation, not legal advice.
Connected terms
- SyndicationHoldbacks may delay secondary exploitation.
Sources & evidence · 14
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Directors Guild of America — DGA Creative Rights HandbookDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Film Independent — Episodic Lab Application and Project MaterialsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Producers Guild of America — Producers Guild Code of CreditsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Screen Australia — Story Documents: DramaDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Scriptnotes / John August — Pitching Television, or Being a Passionate WidgetDirect source · practitioner · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — No Writing Left BehindDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — WGAW Project PageDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- World Intellectual Property Organization — Rights Clearance: A Guide for Independent FilmmakersSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- World Intellectual Property Organization — Rights, Camera, Action! IP Rights and the Film-Making ProcessSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Writers Guild of America West — Fight Back Against Free WorkSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14
- Producers Guild of America — Producing Credits for Episodic Television (Scripted)Supporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Producers Guild of America — Producing Credits for Non-Fiction TelevisionSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- Format Recognition and Protection Association — FRAPA Format ResourcesSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-14
- U.S. Copyright Office — Copyright BasicsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-14