Question about regaining copyright from a publisher

[Carole Pilkinton <Carole.J.Pilkinton.10@nd.edu>]

I'm hoping that this question isn't too far off topic, and that some of
the more copyright savvy can offer advice. A faculty member at my
university had an undergrad textbook published six years ago by a
subsidiary of Springer-Verlag. The publisher has decided not to issue a
second edition, and they have offered (by email) to transfer copyright
rights back to him. He is asking about language that could be used to
convey that transfer clearly so that he could update and republish
elsewhere. I did find a few things (at U Texas) that looked like good
boilerplate, but is it the case that he actually needs legal advice, or is
it just enough to get a clear statement in writing? Thanks for any
suggestions you may have,

--
Carole Pilkinton
Electronic Resources Librarian
pilkinton.10@nd.edu
574-631-8405
205 Hesburgh Library
Universityof Notre Dame
Notre Dame IN 46556