Self-Publishing Need help clarifying serialized book cover copyright

[Aethalope]

The Situation: I have just completed Volume I on Royal Road and plan three more volumes this year (those readers do love consistent verbiage). For the covers going forward, I would like to pay a local artist whose work I adore. She's up for it and seems interested in branching out into book covers.

The Question: In order to start things off on the right foot, we would like to know where we stand on copyright and licensing of the covers. Beyond a few necessary elements, they'll be entirely her work. Does anyone know how to proceed and whether there is a standard way to approach this?

Edit to add: This is Royal Road and these volumes will not be monetized, i.e. no royalties.

 

[Jake E]

I commissioned an artist to do both of my book covers.
They own the art, but I bought a licence to use it (exclusive i hasten to add) for five years.

 

[E G Logan]

I recommend, first, asking someone qualified, like a publishing solicitor. It's complicated, and the advice would be worth paying for. Seriously.

Long ago, when I used to buy stuff for a magazine, including commissioning illustrations, whenever possible we suggested 'All rights', which I believe (!! check) gave the magazine, or the magazine company, the copyright.
When the illustrator had an agent, though – and the big time* ones did – they would never agree to that, but negotiated on each individual jurisdiction, like UK&Com or FBSR (First British Serial Rights)only. US&Can, which could be an important market for you, was a separate entity.

*One of my faves – he used to drop in now and then – did film posters, like the Bond films, etc. He only worked for us to keep busy, I think.