Frequently Asked Questions
1. What information do I need to provide to request permission?
When you submit an order for photocopy permission, it is important to include all required information. This data is essential should The Bookie need to solicit a copyright holder on your behalf. They include:
University Name
Course Name
Start of Term
Number of Sets (number of copies being made)
Book/Journal Title
Author Name
Publisher Name
Publication Year
Page Numbers (from & to)
If you are requesting a journal article, please submit the title of the article in the chapter/article field and the date of issue or volume/edition. Even though the standard number is not a required field, it is essential to the permissions process. If you do not provide the standard number (ISSN/ISBN), a request may be delayed by the need for research.
2. What is an ISBN/ISSN and why is it important?
All books have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN); magazines carry an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). These numbers are unique identifiers. An ISBN is always thirteen digits; an ISSN is always eight digits. You will find both at the front of the work along with copyright information. You might also check the spine of a journal for its ISSN. If there is an ISSN/ISBN available, please note this number on your request form or when requesting a work via copyright.com. The Bookie has an extensive title catalog, and we often encounter different works with the same title. A standard number helps us identify the correct work.
3. How soon should I submit an order before I need permission?
Generally 12-16 weeks prior to the start of the term in which the material is needed. Many permissions are pre-authorized, so they are granted instantly. However, in other cases, The Bookie, through XanEdu may have to contact the copyright holder on your behalf; and a reply is not always immediate. If your request is denied, you may want to request alternate materials.
4. What if I miss the semester deadline? May I still order my course packs?
Yes, we will accept all orders for course packets. Orders received after the deadline will be processed in the most timely manner possible, and in the order received. While every effort will be made to expedite late submissions, we will not be able to guarantee their availability for the first day of class.
5. Can I cancel an order for permission?
You can cancel an order any time during the permission process. However, you may not cancel an order that has already been invoiced.
6. Is a copyright holder the same as the publisher of the book?
The copyright holder is not always the same as the publisher. In the case of an anthology, publishers may solicit different copyright holders to print their material in a compilation. When you request to copy from an anthology, The Bookie often asks you to submit the original source. You will find that information in a footnote at the beginning of the requested chapter or in a separate section entitled "Acknowledgments."
7. If the copyright holder cannot be located, can I just copy the material?
No. There is no exemption for making unauthorized photocopies. If the copyright holder cannot be located for permission, do not copy the item.
8. Why do I need permission if I wrote the material I am requesting?
The author of a book is not always the copyright holder. If another individual or organization holds the rights by contract, the author of a work needs to go through the process of obtaining permission for use of that copyright holder's material.
9. If I received permission for a title last semester, won't I receive permission when I order that title again?
The Bookie cannot guarantee that permission will always be granted. For example, the copyright holder may have changed permissions policies. Also, copyright ownership can change very quickly. So, you may not always be able to get permission the second or even the tenth time around. If The Bookie can find the copyright holder, we can solicit for permission on your behalf.
10. If I received permission from the copyright holder in the past, why do you have to contact them again?
Many permissions are pre-authorized, so they are granted instantly. However, in other cases The Bookie through XanEdu needs to contact the copyright holder each time you request a title if the copyright holder has requested that process.
Copyright holders have various contracts with authors that may change. So, the next time you request a title, the copyright holder from the last time around may no longer hold the right to grant permission.
11. Why does an item cost more than it did last semester?
The Bookie does not set the fees copyright holders charge for photocopying their works. Copyright holders set their own royalty fees. Therefore, a royalty fee can change from semester to semester.
If your materials change from prior semesters, i.e. more originals or illustrations, the retail price may change accordingly. Check out our Best Practices for tips to keep production costs down.
12. What if I want to post something online for my students?
The Bookie through XanEdu provides a quick and cost-effective solution to lawfully use digitized versions of copyrighted materials for electronic course materials, electronic reserves and distance learning. To post something electronically, please request permission prior to the semester.
