If it is determined that a particular instance of reproduction (physically or digitally) will require the permission of the copyright owner, staff or faculty members should request permission. Bear in mind that permission must be obtained each time an item is used unless blanket permission has been secured. Complete documentation of all permissions, denials, and other correspondence is to be kept for a period of three years. Being unable to identify the copyright owner, not receiving a response to a permissions request, or a work being out-of- print does not eliminate your liability for copyright infringement.
A. Obtaining Permission Directly
Persons wishing to procure their own permissions should apply directly to the copyright owner.
1. Determine who owns the copyright on the material by looking for copyright notification on the material. Location will depend on the material type. The search for the copyright owner should be fully documented.
2. Contact the copyright owner via written letter, email, or phone call. Permission requests should contain:
a. Title, author and/or editor, and edition.
b. Exact material to be used.
c. Number of copies to be made.
d. Intended use of the material, e.g., educational.
e. Form of distribution, e.g., hard copy to classroom, posted on Internet with password protection.
f. Whether material is to be sold (e.g., as part of a coursepack).
Remember to allow sufficient lead time for the publisher to respond to the request.
3. Obtain written permission from the copyright holder. It is good practice to make this permission letter available by scanning and linking to it in the Learning Management System, or on a website.
B. Utilizing Collective Licensing Agencies
Collective Licensing Agencies can assist in locating a copyright owner and negotiate for the copyright usage itself.
The Copyright Clearance Center is the most well-known for print works. However, agencies vary by type of material. Lists of these agencies are available on the CNU Copyright Resources: Obtaining Permissions page
C. Obtaining Permission for Course Packs
To create official course packs to be sold as textbooks to the students, contact the Assistant to the Provost, Pamela Gaddis. Copyright permissions and their cost are part of the process handled by the publishers of these texts, which will then be sold via the Follett online bookstore.