Copyright Information Center

Getting Permissions

If materials you need to use are copyrighted (in other words, not in the public domain), you will almost certainly need to obtain permission to use them.  The exception to this requirement would be use that is considered fair use.  Failure to obtain permissions could result in legal action for infringement.

There are several standard steps in the process of acquiring permissions:

1. Determine if permission is needed.
2. Identify the copyright holder.
3. Request permission in writing.
4. If permission is granted, acknowledge this appropriately.
5. If permission cannot be obtained, be prepared to modify your plans.

 Determine if permission is needed

• Use of materials in the public domain do not require permissions.  See Public Domain tab in this guide.
• Use of copyrighted materials for fair use may be done without permission, however, there is always a risk that your assessment of the fair use doctrine may be wrong.  Fair use judgments are made on a fact-based, case-by-case basis (there is no one definitive test).  See Fair Use tab in this guide.

 Identify the copyright holder

• Prior to the 1980’s, authors were generally the rights-holders; since then, publishers have increasingly retained these rights.

• For print publications, begin by contacting the publisher.

• Collective copyright licensing agencies can provide easy access to many publishers and can provide for nearly-instantaneous purchase of rights by credit card in many instances.  These services will also seek permissions on your behalf if you are not finding the publisher listed.  If none of these options is fruitful, you’ll need to contact the publisher directly

• Individual publishers:  Many publisher sites provide a link to permissions information and/or contact information.  If a book has been published in several forms (hardcover and paperback, for example), often the first publisher holds the rights you seek.

• If the publisher does not own the rights, you may be referred to the author (or the author’s estate) … or multiple authors or creators associated with the work you wish to use.  Use of some works (those with text, graphics, images, etc.) may require seeking permission from a number of individuals including authors, photographers, artists and others.

Request permission in writing

• Permission may take the form of a license (granting you the right to use the work), or a release (granting you the right to use the work with the promise by the author not to sue).  Receiving permission may require payment of fees.

• Allow adequate time for receiving a reply.  Requesting permission does not protect you from infringement if you have not received a reply.

• The Association of American Publishers recommends that all of the following information be included in your request:
  • author's, editor's, translator's full name(s)
  • title, edition and volume number of book or journal
  • copyright date
  • ISBN for books, ISSN for magazines and journals
  • numbers of the exact pages, figures and illustrations
  • if you are requesting a chapter or more, both exact chapter(s) and exact page numbers
  • whether material will be used alone or combined with other photocopied material
  • number of copies to be produced
  • name of college or university
  • course name and number
  • semester and year in which material will be used
  • instructor's full name
  • method of reproduction (photocopying, scanning, etc.)
• See a model permission request letter.

Acknowledge permission granted

If you are successful in obtaining permission, this permission is noted, generally, in any of the following ways, or according to any special instructions given by the grantor:

• Footnote in the text
• Source note to a table
• Credit line listed under an illustration. 
• See the appropriate style guide for your discipline for more information.

If permission cannot be obtained, be prepared to change your plans

You may need to use less of the material than you had planned, or not use it altogether.

Collective Copyright Permission Agencies attempt to centralize the process for requesting permissions to use copyrighted works. These agencies attempt to do the work of contacting the copyright holders and granting licenses on their behalf eliminating the need for you to hunt down the copyright holder to request permission yourself. Using these agencies can often make requesting copyright permissions easier though most of these agencies charge a fee for their services.

The following is a list of copyright licensing agencies that deal with works in print.

The following is a list of agencies that deal with copyright permissions for online works.

The following is a list of agencies that deal with copyright permissions for musical works.

The following is a list of agencies that deal with copyright permissions for dramatic works.

The following is a list of agencies that deal with copyright permissions for artistic works.

See the obtaining public performance rights section on the Video and Public Performance Rights page.