Copyright and Fair Use
Requesting
Permission
If there is any doubt about copying or using copyrighted materials it is advisable to request permission. This requires contacting the copyright holder. Determining whom holds the copyright make take some investigation. For example, the publisher of a book or periodical may hold the copyright and not the author. This investigation may begin with contacting the person in charge of permissions or reprints. Some requests may need to go through the Copyright Clearance Center. In some cases, there will be a fee to reproduce copies.
Before requesting permission, have the following information available:
- What is the title of item that you are using (e.g. book, periodical, software, videotape, Web page)?
- What is the name of the publisher, producer or distributor?
- Who is the author or creator?
- Which pages or sections do you need to copy?
- How many copies do you need?
- How will this information be distributed? Will you charge users for the materials?
- What type of reproduction are you requesting (e.g. print copies, transparency, posting on a Web page)?
- How will this information be used?
Copyright holders may require a written letter or an email containing this basic information. The following links provide sample letters.
Introduction to Permission Letters
This includes not only a general letter, but also letters for specific requests: photocopies, Web site for teaching, distance education etc.
Sample Letter to the Copyright Owner Requesting Permission to Copy
It may be difficult to locate the copyright holder for out-of-print materials. However, out-of-print does not necessarily mean out of copyright. Make every effort to contact the copyright holder and keep copies of documentation. One other option for out-of-print books is to purchase copies of the book from out-of-print dealers.