Conference 7.286::digital

    Generally, you've got to write the publisher, and be very specific
    about what you want to do.
    
    I also believe that in Copyright law there is a provision that allows
    you to use small parts of a published work, without specific
    permission, as long as you give appropriate credit.
    
    Maybe your local library could help you.

    Assuming this is a work related question, your group should have
    a lawyer "attached" to your group. Your management should know who it
    is. For the really correct answer you should contact that person.

    			Alfred

RE: .1

Actually, you need to get in touch with the copyright holder.  Usually, it's
the publisher, but not always.  Check the copyright notice on the work.  Be
sure to get the permission in writing.

--PSW

    .1 and .3 are correct.  In my books I cite the published source with
    full footnote/bibliography references (author, title of book or
    periodical, article title if applicable, publisher, year, and pages). 
    Unless you are using a substantial amount (need to check definition of
    "substantial"; I believe it is > 2 or 3 paragraphs verbatim) you don't
    need any written permission as long as the citations mentioned above
    are correct.  My publishing contracts state, however, that any
    "substantial" usage must be accompanied by written permission from the
    copyright holder, which is *usually* (though not always; I have seen
    books where the copyright holder isn't listed, and that makes it
    tricky) listed on one of the first couple pages of the book.  For
    periodicals, the copyright holder may be either the author or the
    periodical itself; articles are often sold giving 1st serial rights, in
    which the author retains copyright.  For material from an article,
    contact the periodical to see who has the rights to the material.
    
    Finally, if in doubt contact a contract/publishing attorney; a quick 15
    minute session should be enough to get customized guidance for your
    particular situation.

To protect yourself and the company, I would make sure that you
contact the lawyer attached to your group before it gets too
complicated. Your group does have a lawyer attached to it.

Be prepared to pay the copyright holder some $ for granting you
permission to copy their material. This $ amount varies according
to the following information:
o How much material you want to copy from them?
o Where will you distribute the materials (presumably the world)?
o In which languages will you distribute the materials (at least
English but what if some other group in Digital wants to
translate it?)? 
o How many copies of the materials will be published (100s or
1000s?)?

Be prepared to answer these questions. 

Some (Harvard Business Review for example) of these can very
simple: the copyright holder may already have a form letter that
they can send you to ask for permission. At least that's the way
it was a few years back when I needed to get permission for
something. 

You should also understand that this entire process may take more
than a little bit of time. Get started on this process as soon as
you know you want to use copyrighted material. On one rather
dreadful copyright experience I had, it took several months to
get settled. We made it only because the entire project slipped.

Good luck.

Jim

    The best advice is to contact the lawyer for your group.  Each
    circumstance is different, and the law is not easily understood or
    applied.  If you don't know the name of the lawyer for your group, send
    me a message (Peter Fontaine @mso), and I'll find out.