Copyright: Permissions

Before you assume that you need to get permission, check to see if it is necessary. You may not need permission to use a work if

• it is licensed to the University  
• the work is in the public domain
• your classroom use is allowed by the copyright law
• your online use is allowed by the TEACH Act
• your use passes the fair use test

The copyright owner could be the original creator, the creator's heirs, or the publisher. Note that there may be several owners involved with one work. For example, in order to use recorded music, you may need to get permission from the composer, the performers, and the recording company.

To find the owner or owners,

• check the copyright notice in the work
• check the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress for any registration, but note that registration is no longer required

Usually an internet search will be sufficient for locating an author or publisher, but sometimes the search for a copyright owner can become complex.

Sometimes it is impossible to identify, locate, or get a response from the copyright holder: you are dealing with an "orphan work". In this case, you may

• reevaluate whether your planned use is fair 
• revise your planned use to fit within fair use principles
• seek alternative materials

In any case, carefully document your attempts to seek permission.