Presenting Mathematical Concepts on the World Wide Web
Intellectual Property Rights ... and Wrongs

You can gain permission to use someone else's copyrighted work by:

• obtaining a transfer of one or more of the original rights,
• obtaining a license from the owner to use the work, or
• obtaining simple permission from the owner to use the work.

The last item above is the simplest, and is the only one that will be addressed here.

When you request permission from copyright holders to use their work, make your request as specific as possible:

• who you are;
• exactly what you want to use;
• where / how you want to use it;
• how many copies you will make;
• how you will distribute your copies;
• how many people will likely have access to each copy, and
• if appropriate, how much you will charge / earn from each copy.

You should also be prepared to give something back, and should thus request their instructions on:

• wording of the credit line;
• any applicable fees, including payment instructions; and
• any other conditions.

While you are at it, you should also ask them to confirm that they actually have the appropriate rights to grant you this permission or, if not, to direct you to the appropriate rights-holder.