Everett Library: Copyright: A Resource Guide: Copyright Status & Permissions

Is it Protected by Copyright?

A great tool which uses a work's publication date and other information to suggest whether permission might be needed to use the work. Created by Michael Brewer (University of Arizona Library) and the ALA Office for Information and Technology Policy.

How Long Does Copyright Last?

Determining the length of copyright for a particular work can be frustrating. Here are some general guidelines:

Copyright lasts the life of the author plus 70 years.
If there is no specific person or life span associated with a work, then copyright lasts 120 years from the date of creation or 95 years from the date of publication, whichever is shorter.
Works published in the United States (not internationally) prior to 1923 are in the public domain.

There are several great charts available to help determine whether or not a work has fallen into the Public Domain:

Investigating Copyright Status

How to Investigate the Copyright Status of a Work - U.S. Copyright Office
From the United States Copyright Office, a detailed article including how to examine a work for copyright information, how to conduct a copyright search, and how to request a search from the Library of Congress. Includes relevant forms, regulations, and contact information.

Requesting Permission

Artists Rights Society (ARS)
The preeminent copyright, licensing, and monitoring organization for visual artists in the United States, ARS provides copyright permission and information for imagery from a body of artists.
Copyright Compliance - Obtaining Permission - Copyright Clearance Center
An overview of reasons why copyright permission is needed and how to request it through the CCC.
Get Permission - Copyright Clearance Center
Search for the copyrighted item you are interested in using and request permission from the CCC, a global rights broker for the world's most sought after print and online content, from books, journals and newspapers to blogs and images.