Example: Email to an Instructor Regarding Obtaining Copyright Permissions

As we were going through your lesson in Module 2, we noticed that you are referencing some images and charts that normally fall under fair use for a faculty to use in their classroom. However, as we are creating an online course these types of images require us to get the permissions of the original authors even if we site our sources. The reason is that online material is used over and over again and fair use is typically covered in a one-time lecture, something you tend to update and revise each time. But with online content it stays up there a lot longer. Is there anyway, you can help us obtain these permissions? Otherwise, we’ll need to come up with plan B.

Example: Request to Use a Software in Online and Remote Instruction

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Jennifer Kremer and I am a Senior Instructional Designer for the University of California, Davis in the Division of Continuing and Professional Education Online Education Team. I am working with a team to develop both an online and remote instruction version of a Construction Project Scheduling course that features your Oracle Primavera P6 Software as hands-on training.

As part of our instruction we would like to be able to show new learners through PPT presentations how to use your software to improve their job skills and marketability. We also would like to create instructor-led demo’s through the use of screen capturing software in our courses that use our own database.

We are requesting permission and authorization to create these instructional materials by use of screenshots and screencasts for our learners. The learners will be using student licenses of the P6 software to complete activities and assignments, all of which will be housed in Canvas (our learning management system) and protected by login and password requirements.

We have yet to identify the quantity of screenshots or screen captures we will need and was hoping to receive blanket permission, but understand if you require limitations. Please let us know if you need any further information from us.

Thank you,

Example: Request to Use Branded Educational Materials in Online and Remote Instruction

I’m a Senior Instructional Designer with the University of California, Davis working in the division of Continuing and Professional Education. I work with faculty and instructors to create online course materials for various audiences and modalities. I am currently working on a Coursera MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that has the potential audience of over 50 million people around the world. Coursera’s platform has a perpetual enrollment model, so there is no real start and end dates.

The instructor team I am working with to create a 4-course Specialization are sourcing their materials and brought to my attention the attached PPT decks that could be used (however, this is just an example as I am seeking a larger conversation on use). I have reviewed your copyright permissions area on your website: https://hbr.org/permissions, but can’t seem to figure out which category this type of material would fall into. Also, it isn’t distinguishing the online which lives longer on a platform versus a one-off in person course taught by a faculty person and updated each quarter.

We love your materials and try to link to things as necessary, but as we continue to move into the digital space more and more, I wanted to explore how we can use your materials for the online world whether in our MOOC space or open enrollment programs.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Example: Verbiage to Give to an Instructor to Request to Use a Publisher's Materials

To Whom It May Concern,

I am working with the Division of Continuing and Professional Education here at UC Davis to create an online version of my Immunology course. As part of our instruction we would like to be able to create lecture materials that use your images from your textbook: The Immune System by Peter Parham. We are requesting permission and authorization to create these instructional materials using your images, which I use extensively in teaching my course. The learners will be able to access the lecture materials through our learning management system, Canvas, and protected by login and password requirements to access them.

Example: Request to Use Charts and Graphs

To Whom It May Concern:

We understand that you are the copyright holder of a chart from your book that was featured in the article U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective: Spending, Use of Services, Prices, and Health in 13 Countries (Oct. 8, 2015) written by David Squires.

The University of California, Davis Division of Continuing and Professional Education would like to include this chart within one of our massive open online courses (MOOC) titled “Healthcare Data Literacy.” The course is set to go live January 2019 on Coursera. With your written approval, the charts and a link to the article will be available worldwide through our online education platform and would reside in the course as a resource learners can link back to for the original article. We will ensure all parties receive proper credit for their work(s).

If you agree to provide us with permission, please reply all to this email with your permission stated. We appreciate your consideration of our permissions request.

Sincerely,