How Do You Get Permission To Use Copyrighted Material?
Protect yourself as a writer. Prevent your getting smacked with a lawsuit for “borrowing” copyrighted materials. Determine if you need permission to quote a copyrighted source. One short sentence from certain print material, for instance, may not require your getting written permission. Ask a professional – your editor, publisher, lawyer or public library reference librarian – if you need permission to quote the particular source. Contact the publisher of the material you wish to use. Ask for the address or phone number of the publisher’s “Permissions Department.” Some publishers will send you a required permission form to fill out. Other publishing houses may ask for your request in a letter. Start the process of securing permission long before your publication date. Some publishers take months to respond to permission requests. Fill out the request form or write your request letter. Be clear, concise and thorough. Generally speaking, your permission request letter should include titl
