How can I find the copyright holder?
If you need permission to copy an article or digitize a video, you'll need to contact the copyright owner. Here are a few strategies to get you started:
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Try contacting the publisher of the media. Publisher websites often have specific departments or offices that deal with copyright. Your liaison librarian(s) can also help you locate their contact information.
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Search the United States Copyright Office public catalog of registered copyright holders.
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If you can't find the copyright owner that way, or the publisher has gone out of business, we recommend you contact the Copyright Clearance Center. They can tell you if anyone lays claim to the copyright; if so, written permission from them should be sought.
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If the copyright owner cannot be found, this doesn't mean you're exempt and can digitize the media without permission. This brings us to the issue of fair use.