Copyright FAQ

The first step in every permission situation is to determine whether you need to ask for permission. In other words, do you need an agreement or can you use the work without permission? Determining whether to ask for permission depends on two questions:

• Is the material protected under law?
• Would your use of the material violate the law?

In general, the permissions process involves a simple five-step procedure:

1. Determine if permission is needed.
2. Identify the owner.
3. Identify the rights needed.
4. Plan Ahead for Permission.
5. Contact the owner and negotiate whether payment is required.
6. Get your permission agreement in writing.

Adapted from Stanford University Copyright and Fair Use