Copyright Permissions

If you want to make use of copyrighted materials, and you have determined that your proposed use does not fall under fair use or any of the other exemptions, you can seek permission from the copyright owner. Seeking permission can be a very simple process or a complex one.

Identify the Copyright Owner

The first step in seeking permission is to identify who owns the copyright to the material you want to use. If the material is published with copyright notice, then you can contact the copyright owner listed. If the material is published without notice, then you can try searching the records of the Copyright Office or searching on the internet. Finally, you can work with one of the rights organizations, such as the Copyright Clearance Center, to find the owner.

Contact the Owner

Once you have found the owner, you will need to contact him or her to ask for permission. If you’re working with one of the rights organizations or directly with a publisher, you may be able to fill out a standard permission form. If you’re working with an individual, you will probably have to write a permission letter. Whatever form the request for permission takes, be sure to describe accurately the use you want to make of the copyrighted material and keep copies of all requests.

Wait for Permission

After you’ve contacted the owner, you must wait for permission to be granted or denied. If permission is granted, there may be a fee for use of the material. It will be up to you to determine whether the fee is reasonable; it can be negotiated. If permission is denied, you will need to find other material to meet your needs or re-evaluate whether your proposed use falls within one of the copyright exemptions.

For more information on seeking permissions, including contact information for rights organizations, see Permissions at IUPUI’s Copyright Management Center.