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Identifying the Copyright Owner | Fees | Licensing Agencies | Permission Letters | Sample Permission Letter
Many publishers, authors, and artists have licensing agencies handle permissions for them, so a good place to start is with one of those agencies.
It may be necessary or desirable to contact the copyright owner directly; that is usually the person or organization named in the copyright notice.
If they do not own the copyright, they should be able to refer you to the proper resource. Copyrights may also be transferred to others or perhaps the copyright is now owned by heirs. The Copyright Office maintains an online, searchable database of materials registered since January 1978. All formats are available.
Stanford University maintains the Copyright Renewal Database. "This database makes searchable the copyright renewal records received by the US Copyright Office between 1950 and 1993 for books published in the US between 1923 and 1963." The database contains only book renewals. This time period is one of the most difficult in determining whether a copyrighted book passed into public domain by not having the copyright renewed.
See "Locating Copyright Holders" by Lloyd J. Jassin for some other suggestions.
Fees can range from the nominal to expensive.
Many copyright owners have licensing agencies handle copyright permissions for them. They often are more expedient in replying. A number of these agencies are listed below. They will usually charge a fee for their services. Sometimes the copyright owner will give the same permission without a cost, but it may take longer.
Some Licensing Agencies:
These organizations usually provide "blanket" licenses for all the labels they cover. For individual song licenses you may want to contact the copyright holder(s) (often the record label) directly.
The letter, on letterhead, should include
Remember that a non-response (silence) is not permission. If you receive oral permission, make sure you document the conversation and follow up with a letter.
Permissions Department
Your Publisher
Town, ST 12345
Month, Day, Year
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to ask your permission to copy the following for classroom use next quarter September 2001:
Author: John Smith
Book Title: The Life of John Smith, 3rd ed., 1982 (out
of print)
Copyright: 1979, 1982
Pages: 23-35 of Chapter 10 "Life Abroad" (photocopy
enclosed).
Number of Copies: 60 (3 sections of History 256, U. S. History
to 1865)
Distribution: Supplied to students as free handout fall quarter
2001
Type of reprint: photocopy
Enclosed please find a self addressed, stamped envelope for your convenience in returning this signed permission.
If you do not solely control copyright of the requested material, I would appreciate any information you can provide about the copyright owners, including most recent addresses if available.
Sincerely,
Bob Jones
Professor
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Please initial any statement that applies:
Author or company authorized signature _________________________
Date _______________________
Sample Letter.doc
(Help downloading)
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guidelines
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