Copyright and Fair Use

In general what can be copied?

• A chapter from a book (never the entire book).
• An article from a periodical or newspaper, however
  never an entire issue of a journal
  never more than 5 articles from the same journal in a 12 month period
• A short story, essay or poem.
  One work is the norm whether it comes from an individual work or an anthology.
• A chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical, or newspaper.

Poetry and Prose

Poetry

• Multiple copies of a poem of 250 words or less, that exist on two pages or less;
  or
  250 words from a longer poem.

Prose

• Multiple copies of an article, story or essay that are 2,500 words or less or
  excerpts up to 1,000 words or
  10 percent of the total work, whichever is less.

Illustrations

Multiple copies of a single chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture contained in a book or periodical issue.

• Making multiple copies of different works that could substitute for the purchase of books, publisher's reprints, or periodicals.
• Copying the same works from semester to semester.
• Copying the same material for several different courses at the same or different institutions
• Copying more than nine separate times in a single semester for a single course.

When is permission required

• When you intend to use the materials for commercial purposes.
• When you want to us the materials repeatedly.
• When you want to use the work in its entirety and it is longer than 2,500 words.

How do I get permission?

The Office of General Council drafted this sample letter initially. It is now on the University of Texas-Austin, Library site
as Sample written request for permission.

For materials to be used outside of UTPB's courses, you must obtain permission yourself--i.e. as an individual.