We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.
In what situations must permission be obtained?
If you do not own the copyright to a piece of intellectual property (whether text, photos, or art), in many cases you should obtain permission prior to incorporating it into your work. Although there are exceptions, it’s important to understand when you should seek permission.
Is there standard language or a template of a permission letter?
There are certain items that should be in every permission request including but not limited to the name of your publication, when it’s publishing, what format(s) your work will be published in, as well as language(s) and territory (territories) it will publish in.
In the writing industry, besides publishers, who else requires permissions?
Anyone wishing to re-use intellectual property that is not their original creation should consider whether they need permission before re-using, adapting, or putting the original IP into a new format.
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Learn the ins and outs of what publishers require when they ask you to “clear” permission for third-party materials you are incorporating into your work. What things do you need to have in a permission agreement, and how do you go about getting permission anyway? How long will this process take?
You can join in this conversation on May 27, at 3 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on handling permissions. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!
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