Sample Letter Requesting Copyright Permissions

This is an example of a letter that should be sent to the permission department. This letter can be modified to describe your particular project. The first page should provide the publisher a description of your project and provide an explanation on how you are going to use the material. The second page is an example of a permission request that the publishing company can send back to you.

Other examples of letters can be found at http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/permmm.htm

Sample Letter

Date

Permissions Department

Publisher

Address

Dear Permissions Editor:

This letter is a request to use newspaper articles in the Alaska Daily News on the WEB site for our project. The material we would like to use are listed on the enclosed permission request that we are asking you to return.

We are developing a curriculum for elementary and secondary students, which includes providing historical information and development on the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act. This composite of information is being put on the Internet. Material from your newspaper will provide valuable insights for those unfamiliar with Alaska, and also for those wishing to teach about Alaska Native history and education.

We do not plan to make a profit from your material or to distribute it for monetary benefit. We will provide full acknowledgment of the copyright for your newspaper. If you give us information about the cost and availability of your newspaper articles, we will be happy to include that information on the WEB site along with the excerpt. The WEB site is located at this address: http://www.alaskool.org if you wish to preview material that has been put up so far.

We have enclosed a release form authorizing ISER to use your material on the WEB site for educational purposes only. This form can be returned via fax at (907) if this is more convenient for you.

Please feel free to call us if you have questions or want more information about our project. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

RELEASE AGREEMENT

Name and Address of Organization:

Name and Title of Authorizing Personnel:

Description of material to be used on the WEB site:

Please check a box:

YES

I authorize (your name or organization) permission to use material through the WEB site for educational purposes only.

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

please do not use the material.

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

I do not authorize use of the material because:

Cost and status of availability of full publication: