Not every classroom use requires permission. But if your use doesn’t fall under Fair Use, the TEACH Act, or the Face-to-Face Teaching Exemption, you may need to get permission from the copyright holder.
Before you begin, ask:
💡 Tip: Placing a DVD or book on reserve may be easier than requesting rights. Request a course reserve or ask your liaison librarian to purchase a title.
Once you've identified a work that requires permission, you'll need to:
💡 Tip: Columbia University's Copyright Advisory Office has excellent instructions and model letters: Model Permission Forms
If you’re not sure how to get started, contact the Library. We’re happy to help.
Using the same scanned article or chapter in Canvas semester after semester weighs against Fair Use.
If long-term use is needed:
💡 Tip: We can often help you license an equivalent resource, sometimes for free. Ask the Library.
Streaming an entire film or album online is rarely covered by Fair Use or TEACH.
If you need to stream full multimedia content:
💡 Tip: We may already have streaming rights or can license content affordably. Contact us before requesting permission on your own.
If your request is denied or ignored:
Ask us for help evaluating your options.
Copyright can be complex, and permission requests take time. The Library is here to support you!
We can help you: