Do I need permission to publish Special Collections materials?
Special Collections does not require researchers to request permission to quote from or publish images of collection materials, nor do we charge permission or use fees. However, we ask that you cite Special Collections as the source of the materials following the citation guidelines detailed in the FAQ entry above.
Additionally, permission for certain uses (including but not limited to quoting, publishing, performing, and reproducing) may require permission from the copyright holder or executors. When required, it is the researcher’s responsibility to obtain such permissions. Useful resources for researching and obtaining permissions include:
- Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States, published by the Cornell University Copyright Information Center, can help researchers to determine if a work is in the public domain.
- The WATCH File (Writers, Artists, and Their Copyright Holders) maintained by the Harry Ransom Center and the University of Reading is a database of copyright contacts for writers, artists, and prominent figures in other creative fields.
- Artists Rights Society is a copyright, licensing and monitoring organization for visual artists in the United States.
If you have questions about copyright or permissions for a particular collection, please contact us via AskSpec.
Answer
Permission to consult or reproduce printed material or manuscripts does not constitute authorization to publish them. Please submit inquiries regarding permission to publish in writing or via AskSpec to be approved by a Special Collections librarian.
When sending a request, please submit an outline of the project or interest that prompts the request, including the publication type, author, title, publisher, publication date, and print run (volume/issue number, if applicable). Explain the intended use of the image(s) and, if applicable, location within publication (interior or cover) and whether or not Internet use is being requested. Specify the image being requested including all bibliographic information (e.g. manuscript collection number, title, box, and folder).
Granting permission to publish does not transfer copyright, and permission is granted only to the extent of the University of Delaware Library Special Collections' ownership of the rights related to the request. Certain works requested which are physically owned by Special Collections may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by Special Collections.
The responsibility for determining whether any such intangible rights exist, for obtaining all necessary permissions, and for guarding against the infringement of those rights that may be held elsewhere, remains with the requester.
General information regarding copyright can be found here.
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