What tools and templates are available? There are a number of tools and templates available to simplify the copyright clearance process.

  1. The Flowchart for Copyright Clearance provides the sequence of steps to be followed when seeking permission to use selected resources in an OER or to make resources or readings accessible for a particular course or programme or to make resources digitally accessible (e.g. online).
  2. The tracking template for permissions – Template for seeking permissions for copyrighted material to be posted on a website as OER – provides a template that can be used to list: all the resources where permission is sought; the name of the copyright holder; the contact details of the copyright holder; dates and details of correspondence; queries arising from the correspondence; the status of the request; and, if copyright has been granted, the conditions under which this has been given.
  3. The Creative Commons licence compatibility wizard is a useful tool that can be used to help you understand issues of interoperability and choose a licence for your work in different circumstances The compatibility wizard explains how the tool can be used and provides some examples.
  4. Examples of letters that can be sent to copyright holders in order to obtain permission are also included in this toolkit. The example letter where permission is sought for a specific course or programme is for use when you are seeking copyright permission for resources that will be used specifically for a chosen course or programme.
  5. The example letter where permission is sought for resources to be digitally accessible is for use when you are seeking copyright permission for resources that are not necessarily for a specific course or programme, but are to be made digitally accessible (e.g. online).