Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off [Paperback]

Richard Stim Attorney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2007

If you plan to use any copyrighted material for your own purposes, you need to get permission first from the owners of that work. If you don't, you could find yourself slapped with a lawsuit.

Getting Permission tackles the permissions process head on. It shines the light on whom to ask for permission, as well as when -- and how much to expect -- to pay for permission. Comprehensive and easy to read, the book covers:

the permissions process
the public domain
copyright research
fair use
academic permissions
the elements of a license and merchandise agreement
the use of a trademark or fictional character
and much more

Getting Permission includes agreements for acquiring authorization to use text, photographs, artwork and music. All agreements included as tear-outs and on CD-ROM.

The 3rd edition of this essential book is completely updated to reflect the latest laws and court decisions. (20090101)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A comprehensive book you can turn to for guidance. (Training Magazine 20090101)

The book offers excellent advice and guidance for licensing content, transferring information and linking to other sites. (Computer Currents 20090101)

The best guide to getting permissions of all types written to date. (Tech Trends 20090101)

We recommend a detailed book on the subject, Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off... (The Indie Band Survival Guide )

The book at the top of my recommendations is Getting Permission.... I have waited a long time for a book of this excellence, depth and breadth in rights and permissions. Stim has written an extraordinarily helpful book. (John B. McHugh The McHugh Memo )

From the Publisher

Want to use someone else's stuff? Get Permission First

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: NOLO; 3rd edition (December 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413305180
• ISBN-13: 978-1413305180
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,017,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I can't believe I wrote all those books.
If you've got questions regarding book content, check out my blog http://www.dearrichblog.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide for anyone in a business situation where they will have to use someone else's creative license, June 7, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off (Paperback)

Copyright law has become a matter of serious concern in recent years - so how do you use anything without getting sued? "Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off" is a guide for anyone in a business situation where they will have to use someone else's creative license for their own. The guide covers the permission process, public domain issues, finding the copyright holder to get permission, fair use, and other issues that often crop up in this field. Enhanced with a CD-ROM which compiles the information in an easy to search format, "Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off" is highly recommended to any business who often use other company's copyrights, and community library business collections.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Permissions The Right Way!, December 16, 2010

By 

Lorenzo M. in the Hollywood CA Area "Movie Wa... (North Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off (Paperback)

(What's this?)

I really wish these No Ho books were standard issue and text books for schools. They are easy to read, well organized and filled with facts.

If you plan to use any copyrighted material for your own purposes, you need to get permission first from the owners of that work. If you don't, you could find yourself slapped with an expensive and time-consuming lawsuit.

Getting Permission tackles the permissions process head-on -- without the legalese. It shines the light on whom to ask for permission, as well as when -- and how much to expect -- to pay for permission. Comprehensive and easy-to-read, the book covers of vast amount of subjects like - the permissions process, the public domain, copyright research, fair use, academic permissions, the elements of a license and merchandise agreement, the use of a trademark or fictional character, and much more

Getting Permission includes agreements for acquiring authorization to use text, photographs, artwork, and music, whether it's found online or off. All agreements included as tear-outs and on CD-ROM.
The 4th edition of this essential guide is completely updated to reflect the latest laws and court decisions.

Here is the table of contents...see for yourself everything need to know.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Permissions Process
Permission: What Is It and Why Do I Need It?
The Basics of Getting Permission
Overview of Intellectual Property Laws
Permission Tools: Licenses and Releases
2. Getting Permission to Use Text
Who Owns the Text?
Start With Online Permission Services
Locate the Publisher
Contact the Author
Special Situations: Ann Landers and Beyond
When You Can't Find the Rights Holder
Paraphrasing, Omissions, and Facts
Negotiating Text Permission and Fees
3. Getting Permission to Use Photographs
The World of Stock Photos
Obtaining Rights to a Photo You've Found
Celebrity Photos and Movie Stills
Using Photo Researchers
Photo Fees
Photo Permission Agreements
When the Photograph Contains Art, Trademarks, or People
Stock Photo Resources
4. Getting Permission to Use Artwork
Acquiring Rights to Artwork
Fine Art: Paintings, Sculptures, and Limited Editions
Graphic Art
Comics and Cartoons
Royalty-Free and Public Domain Clip Art
Searching for Art
Artwork Fees and Agreements
Artwork Resources
5. Getting Permission to Use Music
Acquiring Rights to Music
Song and Sound Recording Copyrights
Reprinting Music or Lyrics
Playing Music at a Business or Event
Releasing Music for Sale
Using Music in a Commercial, Radio Show, or as Background Music
Using Music in a Film, Television Show, or Video
Performing a Musical or Play
Using Music in Software, Videogames, or Multimedia Programs
Using Music on a Website
Using Music Samples
Finding Music Publishers
Finding Record Companies
Music Clearance Companies
Music Resources
6. Website Permissions
Websites: Five Ways to Stay Out of Trouble
Transferring Information to and From a Website
Connecting to Other Websites
7. Academic and Educational Permissions
Academic Coursepacks
Educational Uses of Noncoursepack Materials
Proposed (But Not Adopted) Educational Guidelines on Fair Use
Library Photocopying
Academic Permission Resources
8. The Public Domain
Welcome to the Public Domain
Public Domain Trouble Spots
9. Fair Use
What Is Fair Use?
Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors
Summaries of Fair Use Cases
Disagreements Over Fair Use: When Are You Likely to Get Sued?
10. Getting Permission to Use Trademarks
Trademark Basics
When You Need Permission to Use a Trademark
Locating a Trademark Owner
Trademark Licensing
11. Art and Merchandise Licenses
Overview of Merchandise Licensing
Merchandise License Agreement
Explanation of Merchandise License Agreement
Merchandise License Worksheet
Short-Form Merchandise License Agreement
12. Releases
Legal Risks of Failing to Obtain a Release
When to Use a Release
Personal Release Agreements
Interview and Property Releases
13. Copyright Research
Copyright Ownership and Transfers FAQs
Starting Your Copyright Research
Searching the Copyright Office and Library of Congress Records
14. After Permission Is Granted
Permissions Tracking Sheet
Good Permissions Gone Bad
Insurance
15. Assignments and Works Made for Hire
Copyright Assignments
Works Made for Hire
16. Help Beyond This Book
Resources for More Detailed Permissions Research
Conducting Legal Research
Working With an Attorney
Appendix: How to Use the CD-ROM
Installing the Files Onto Your Computer
Using the Word Processing Files to Create Documents
Files on the Cd-Rom

As you can see...everything you need to know regarding getting the permissions you need and doing it legally and properly! With extreme details - a must for every library. 12-16-10

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been waiting for this book for years!, December 20, 2010

By 

Claire Jordan "Filmmaker - "The Baroness ... (New Orleans, LA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off (Paperback)

(What's this?)

NOLO nails it again! I do video and web production and I have questions about copyright and clearance all the time. In the "Wild West" days of the Internet, if you could digitize it, you could use it, but eventually copyright owners started (rightfully) demanding protection for their property. These days video and Internet production is a intellectual property minefield. And if you are doing any kind of video or Internet production and you aren't worried about intellectual property issues, both to protect your own work and to make sure you aren't using protected work in your productions, you are probably setting yourself up for, at a minimum, a major headache, or, in the worst case, an expensive legal nightmare.

This book is the answer to my prayers. It will never leave my desk! I have consulted it once or twice a week for the month or two that I've had it. Like most NOLO books, it is very well organized, making it very easy to find the answers to my questions. Clearly and concisely written, this book has satisfactorily answered all of the questions that I've put to it. It beats the pants off of the Magic 8 Ball that I used to use. I'm really pleased.

While it's not a replacement for a good lawyer for really important or complex issues, it's the best resource I've seen for a clear understanding of how licensing works and how to find and secure the rights to use content. Over the years, NOLO books have become my "go-to" resources whenever I am facing a legal issue. This book is no exception.