LibGuides: How to Understand Copyright: Copyright Permission

Sample Permission Letters

Many copyright holders will allow the use of their materials upon request. Below are links that discuss getting permission for use.

Sample permission form letter
Edit this general letter to request permission to use.
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University of Texas link.
Sample Permission Letters
Sample permission letters for seeking or granting permission in various situations from the Columbia University Libraries Copyright Advisory Office.

Get Permission

Copyright Clearance Center
The Copyright Clearance Center offers a "pay-per-use" service that allows you to search for and obtain permission to use and share content from the world's leading titles in science, technology, medicine, humanities, news, business, finance and more.
The WATCH File: Writers, Artists, and Their Copyright Holders
A database of copyright contacts for writers, artists, and prominent figures in other creative fields run jointly by the Harry Ransom Center and University of Reading Library.
FOB: Firms Out of Business
FOB is a database of publishing, literary and other firms out of business run jointly by the Harry Ransom Center and University of Reading Library.
Getting Permission - U.S. Copyright Office
General information from the U.S. Copyright Office about obtaining copyright permission.
Motion Picture Licensing Corporation
The Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) is the leader in motion picture copyright compliance, supporting legal access across five continents and more than 20 countries
Artists Rights Society
Artists Rights Society (ARS) is the preeminent copyright, licensing, and monitoring organization for visual artists in the United States. Founded in 1987, ARS represents the intellectual property rights interests of over 50,000 visual artists and estates of visual artists from around the world (painters, sculptors, photographers, architects and others).
ASCAP (American Societiy of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
We protect the rights of ASCAP members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works. Our licensees encompass all who want to perform copyrighted music publicly. We make giving and obtaining permission to perform music simple for both creators and music users.
BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated)
Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the global leader in rights management, processes almost 100 billion copyright transactions annually, providing a vital link between music-content creators and the businesses that use that music.

Grant Permission with a Creative Commons License

Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools.

Our free, easy-to-use copyright licenses provide a simple, standardized way to give the public permission to share and use your creative work — on conditions of your choice. CC licenses let you easily change your copyright terms from the default of “all rights reserved” to “some rights reserved.”

Creative Commons licenses are not an alternative to copyright. They work alongside copyright and enable you to modify your copyright terms to best suit your needs.

About Creative Commons