Permissions
With over 75 years of backlist titles represented by the agency, PFD receives a great number of requests for permission to reproduce material from the copyright property of our clients and their Estates every day, in books and assorted other media. In this section we hope to answer all of the most frequently asked questions about the process of requesting and being granted permission. Please take time to look it over before you apply - what you will find here may considerably speed up the granting of the permission you require. Whilst we process requests as quickly as we can, we ask that you apply as early as possible.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You should apply for permission to reproduce copyright material from our authors' work in writing by post on your company or personal letterhead, or by email, giving your full contact details, to:
Permissions,
Peters Fraser and Dunlop,
Drury House,
34-43 Russell Street,
London,
WC2B 5HA
info@pfd.co.uk(Subject line: “Permission Request - Name of Author”)
Requests originating overseas may be sent by fax to +44 20 7836 9539
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
1. We need to know full publishing details of your book or magazine, newspaper or other periodical in whichthe copyright material is to appear, which means at least:
- Author/Editor
- Title
- Publisher
- Territories
- Languages
- Retail Price
- Planned editions, i.e. hardback, paperback, book-club, audio book, e-book, or other internet/electronic use. (Do you wish to clear permission for all planned editions at the same time?)
- Estimated print-run or initial manufacture quantities
- Estimated publication date
2. We'd like to see a copy of our author’s material to be reproduced, along with the following information:
- Author
- Title of work, and in what book it appears
- Publisher
- Publication date
- Number of words (for prose material)
- Number of lines (for verse)*
*Please note that we will not generally grant permission to reproduce some but not all stanzas/verses of a particular poem. Unless there is good reason we may insist on the entire poem being reproduced.
CAN YOU GRANT ME PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE A PHOTOGRAPH, LINE-DRAWING, MAP OR OTHER ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL WHICH I FOUND IN A WORK BY ONE OF YOUR CLIENTS?
Sometimes. Rarely, in the case of photographs unless copyright in the photograph in question is owned by the author. This is generally clear from the context, and the picture credits of the book.
Line-drawings or maps specific to the book in question may have been commissioned, and therefore owned, by either the publisher or the author. In the case of older works, more probably by the author. For works still in print and for more recent works you should contact the publisher in the first instance.
Please note that we hold no original artwork, illustrations or photographs here, and are unable to supply you with reproductions, prints or transparencies.
WHAT IF I REQUIRE PERMISSION TO USE MATERIAL IN A MEDIUM OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE?
With as much detail as is relevant – using the information required above adapted to your medium - please contact the particular agent for the relevant author or Estate listed elsewhere on this website, or write to or email Permissions at the addresses above.
WHAT IF I REQUIRE PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE, USE, EXPLOIT OR ADAPT MATERIAL IN A MANNER DIFFERENT FROM ITS ORIGINAL SOURCE?
In such instances please contact the particular agent for the relevant author or Estate, listed elsewhere on this website; or write to or email Permissions at the addresses above.
WHAT IF I WISH TO REPRODUCE MATERIAL FOR MY OWN PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE?
Permission will still be required, and you must request it in writing or by email with full details of your intended personal use.
WILL PERMISSION BE GRANTED FREE OF CHARGE?
Possibly, but probably not.
If the inclusion of the copyright material is for a purpose which may be considered as "fair dealing...for purposes of criticism or review" whether of the work from which the material comes, or of another work, you may not need to request permission or pay any fee, provided that the author and title from which the copyright material comes is given in the acknowledgements section of your work. But "fair dealing...for purposes of criticism or review" is a phrase not in itself defined in the Copyright Act, and it's worth checking with us whether or not we share your view of "fair dealing" in the context.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY?
The minimum fee is £70.00 (+VAT if applicable). The appropriate fee in all instances will depend on the commercial particulars suggested by the publishing details for each request. Payment will always be stipulated and must be made in Sterling.
WILL PERMISSION ALWAYS BE GRANTED?
No. Our clients reserve the right to refuse permission to reproduce their copyright material.