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News from the Future of Public Media
Fair Use Question About Using Book Covers and Newspapers
email discuss Posted by Michael T. Miller on May 1, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Dear CSM, my little documentary that I’m producing — which of course
I hope will be a big documentary — is using a montage of several
book jackets to illustrate the fact that science and spirituality are
becoming more related than they have been — books like “The Tao of
Physics.” The rigmarole to get clearances from the publishers is
daunting and I wonder if it is necessary. There is nothing negative
being said about the books, and in the world of logic one would thing
that showing the jackets could only benefit sales. Do I still, for
the publishers or for my own evidence that I have clearances for the
sake of making a sale, have to get those permissions? Same question
for newspaper front pages to show that the world is interested in my
topic (it’s crop circles), and a newspaper article I’ve pulled from a
page on the Net.
Thanks,
- Suzanne
Thank you Suzanne, this is a really
common problem, and a good example of how concerns about licensing
have gotten way out of hand in the “clearance culture” of today. In
listening to our legal advisors advise us and others, and in digesting
the principles and limitations laid out by filmmakers in the
Statement of Best Practices, we have found that you have every right to quote existing
copyrighted material, such as newspaper front pages, magazines and
books, to demonstrate a cultural trend/fact. You can also see examples
of such use in documentaries by clicking here.
- The Center for Social Media
For more answers please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
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