Copyright Permissions

The library subscribes to a number of full text journals and full text journal databases. Consequently, copyright and linking permission have already been granted for certain journals and/or some education uses of journal articles on our full text databases.

The Library also obtains permissions through its Intellectual Property Office for materials that are to be placed on Reserve or Electronic Reserve in the Library that have used up their "fair use" period (2 Quarters).

Resources for Obtaining Permissions

If you request permissions yourself, be sure to start early and provide the correct information to the copyright holder.

Permissions for Books, Journal or Magazine Articles, Other Literary Works

The page containing the copyright notice shows who owns the copyright, the year of publication, and the publisher's name. The acknowledgment page may also obtain information regarding copyright ownership. If the rights are held by the author or another publisher, you will be referred to the correct copyright owner. If the address of the publisher does not appear with the material, it may be obtained from sources such as Books in Print or Ulrich's International Periodicals directory available at the Library's Reference Desk. Individual requests may be directed to the publisher's Rights and Permissions Department.

The Authors Registry
Can help you find specific authors.
NACS
Sample permission request forms can be found on the NACS web site. (PDF link).
Copyright Clearinghouse Center
Commercial service available for individuals to use.
U. S. Library of Congress Online Database
Copyright ownershipinfo. Use this extensive database to find authors, publishers, information about photographs, recordings, etc.
U. S. Copyright Office Copyright Database (LOCIS)
Copyright ownership quick search Search Copyright Records from one of three databases:
  • Books, Music, etc.
  • Serials
  • Documents
This is the short version of searching and one is referred to the Library of Congress Online Database (LOCIS) for more extensive searches. These convenient copyright databases covers copyright registrations since 1978. It also takes several months for new registrations to appear in the databases.

To find out more about searching U.S. Copyright Office records and on services provided, see:

Permissions for Film Clips

BIB Book
Movie industry directory for distributors of film clips. Many studios have clip clearance departments, also.

Permissions for Software

The Software & Information Industry Association
Includes a directory of software publishers on its home page.

Permissions for Music

ASCAP
Licensing/copyright info.
BMI
Licensing/copyright info.
Harry Fox, LTD
RIAA Music Producers
SESAC
Music Library Association Website
Fair use and digital transmission of electronic reserves.

Public Domain Online Databases

"When Works Pass into the Public Domain by Lolly Gasaway", University of North Carolina.
This is a chart showing copyright status of published works. Basically everything published before 1923 should be in the Public Domain because copyright protection has expired. However, there are exceptions and unless the copyright owner specifically puts a work in the public domain, the copyright status should be checked. Most government materials are automatically in the public domain.

Public Domain Online Images Databases

The main public domain image databases are from government agencies. Each agency has a statement on the conditions of use of these copyright free images. For example, privacy laws may restrict any photos of people if the photos are used commercially.

National Image Library. National Fish and Wildlife.
The National Image Library contains still photo images of wildlife, plants, National Wildlife refuges and scenes, as well as wildlife management work.
NASA Image Exchange
These image collections covers space, aircraft, Apollo Program, Solar System, Mars, Hubble, Rover, Wind Tunnel.
NIX NASA Image Exchange
One multi-search browser covers all the NASA databases.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Sixteen thousand images of landscape, seascape, weather, etc. It covers oceanic life and atmospheric topics, including satellite and space photographs.
Agricultural Research Service Image Gallery. USDA
Contains over 2000 images in the subject areas of animals, crops, education, field research, fruits & vegetables, insects, and plants.
USDA Photography Center
Recently added photo collections on fires and fire fighters, horses by breed, WIC program for needy mothers and children, 4-H clubs, and 1930's and 1940's Farm Security Administration photographs.
Clip Art
The Clip Art Universe
Clip Art Wherehouse

Public Domain Music

Public Domain Information Project
Lists guidelines for identifying public domain music. Provides links to resources for finding public domain music. Lists over 3000 songs in the public domain in the U.S.
Publicdomain music
Mostly 19th Century and early 20th Century composers.
Mutopia
Mutopia provides music that is completely free to download, print, perform, and distribute. Music on this site has either been placed in the public domain, or licensed under the "MutopiaBSD" license. You must read the use instructions regarding the public domain or licensed works before you down load them.
The Sheet Music Archive
Over 4000 pages of free, public domain classical piano sheet music.

Patents

Patents and possible patent applications at Cal Poly are handled through the Graduate Dean's Office. Campus Contact: Susan Opava, Dean of Research and Graduate Programs. 805-756-1508

U.S. Patent Office
Best source for information on patents, what can be patented, and how to obtain a patent.
U.S. Patent Searching
Issued U.S. patents can be found on the United States Patent and Trademark office website. They are also available at patent depository libraries.
U.S. Patent Act, 35 U.S.C. 100
An easy site to view the entire U.S. law.
Science and Engineering Library. University of California at San Diego. "Finding Patents"
This is an understandable source on finding patents by subject. The site also links to many international patent database sites as well as the basic U.S. Patent and Trademark resources.

Trademarks

Words, names, symbols, or devices, used by a person to identify goods made or sold by him/her and to distinguish them from goods made or sold by others.

There are three kinds of trademarks:

Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)
For federal trademarks, use the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to do a basic trademark search. Since TESS is usually two months behind, update the search in the Official Gazette of the Patent and Trademark Office-Trademarks.
Trademarks and Service Names Home Page
See this California Business Portal for state trademarks.
Common law trademarks
The search involves checking business name directories, databases, etc. to see whether a given trademark has been used. A list of these sources can be obtained in the Library Intellectual Property Office.
Trademark Tutorial

Licensing

A Practical Guide to Licensing
Sample forms and license agreements are available in the Intellectual Property Office.
Licensing Guidelines
A short PowerPoint presentation from the Scholarly Communication Center at North Carolina State University.