Text size:
- 
- 
“The advice and help that the Society's staff dispense, and the weight of experience that they can bring to bear, are immensely valuable. A subscription to the Society is the greatest investment any writer can make.”
- Philip Pullman
Click here to find out more
How do I copyright my work?
Copyright is automatically yours, and applies as soon as something is recorded in writing (or in other form, e.g. on a computer disk, etc).
You can establish proof of when your work was created by putting a copy in a sealed, dated envelope, and depositing it with a bank or solicitor - or even by posting it to yourself and storing it unopened in a safe place.
How long does copyright last?
Click here to access our Quick Guide to permissions.
How much can I quote without permission?
Click here to access our Quick Guide to permissions.
Where can I find out who controls the rights in a particular work?
If the work is in print, contact the publishers. Otherwise, visit the web sites run by ALCS, British Library, Companies House, DACS, Family Records Centre, National Library of Ireland, National Library of Scotland, US Library of Congress, WATCH, Location Register.
How do I obtain permission from rights holders?
Click here to access our Quick Guide to Permissions.
View all frequently asked questions