Copyright Permission

Do you need copyright permission?

Check the guidelines listed under instructor use. If the intended use is outside these guidelines, consider these options before requesting copyright permission:

  1. Complete the Fair Use Checklist to determine if intended use falls within the limits of fair use.
  2. If a newspaper, magazine, or journal article, check with a PCC librarian to see if the article is available through one of the library’s academic (subscription-based) databases.

How to Obtain Copyright Permission

Once you have determined that it is necessary to obtain copyright permission, we recommend following this link to Library Reserves where you will find information and links to many publishers. If publisher is not known, there is also a link for finding specific works (Books in Print) The Copyright Clearance Center is another resource for obtaining copyright permission. Note that in most cases, a publisher/copyright owner will assess fees for reprint permission. These fees must be paid by departments for printed classroom work, Library Reserves or Distance Learning or by the Bookstore for projects sold there.

The process of considering permission requests requires time for the publisher to check the status and ownership of rights and related matters, and to evaluate the request. It is advisable to allow sufficient lead time. This sample form letter may be used for written permission. The request should be sent, together with a self-addressed return envelope, to the permissions department of the publisher in question.

Distribution of Letters of Permission

Once permission is obtained, the distribution throughout the college is as follows:

Hardcopy
  • Original stays with the requestor.
  • One copy to Dona Emery at the PCC Print Center for classroom and "coursepacks".
  • One copy to Joyce Morrison at the Bookstore for coursepacks.
Library Reserves
  • Original stays with the requestor.
  • One copy to Donna Meeds for Library reserves.
Distance Learning