If two parties arrange a swap contract, it seems that both the short and long side can be considered as a issuer.

In the case of a bond or a share, there is a bondholder or a shareholder on one side and a company issuing the security on the other side. In a derivative contract, which party can be named as the issuer? Or do we have to speak only of short and long side? How this may possibly differ on the basis of the trading venue and on the qualities of the contract parties (e.g. a professional investor, an institution, a non-professional etc.)?

In as match as, in the context of "Personal investing and asset allocation", an investor wants to make a speculative investment in a derivative contracts s/he has to know these "roles".

Besides the law might put specific duties or responsibilities on the contract party regarded as the issuer.