Re: copyright permission and course reserve

On 1/31/00, Linda Heide <linda.heide[_at_]wwu.edu> wrote:
>
> My experience has been that the publishers are very reluctant to grant
> permission for reserve room use. I requested permission for reserve
> room use a few times a couple of years ago and they were all turned
> down. I, to, would be interested in hearing other people's experiences
> in requesting permission for reserve use.

I have actually had a much different experience. I'd have to crunch some data to get specifics, but my subjective impression is that about 50% of my permission requests are granted unconditionally. This is important because my request letter contains a statement to the effect that the lack of limitations will be understood as approving continued use of the materials. Another 5-10% refer us to the CCC. I'd say only 10-15% refuse or limit permission, and the rest either refer us to a different rights holder or require us to seek parallel permission from the author. I will note that I try to make granting my request as easy as possible. I use a one page form letter that includes an endorsement block for the approval signature, and I always include a SASE when corresponding within the US (I send self-addressed envelopes to foreign publishers as well, but for obvious reasons they're not stamped :-). In the past two weeks I've signed at least 40 letters requesting authorizations to use material either for reserve or for course packets, and I'd say I've received perhaps a dozen permissions back, two of which require me to contact the author as well, none require me to pay any royalties.

Laureen C. Urquiaga
Access Services/Copyright Librarian
Howard W. Hunter Law Library
<urquiagal[_at_]lawgate.byu.edu> Received on Tue Feb 01 2000 - 21:16:30 GMT