Richard Stim

This book is a solid introduction to copyright clearance for the ordinary mortal. It starts by talking about the issues surrounding different kinds of source material in several chapters, then introduces chapters about using material for different purposes. It makes clear concepts such as multi-layered materials and the differences between royalty-free and public domain works. Stim seems to know when to refer people to more detailed discussion, and he also provides some framework for show more thinking about the tradeoffs involved in requesting permission or not (e.g. how likely is it to be noticed? how likely is it to be ruled e.g. fair use? how much trouble will it take to get to such a ruling?). There are a few spots where he missed an opportunity to update (how many people now use Zip disks as compared to thumb drives?) but the principles seem to be straightforward to follow.

Recommended for any light users of copyrighted materials (e.g. small nonprofits, internal creators such as employee newsletter writers, and personal bloggers). show less

I am working at putting together some supplemental materials that I hope local schools will be able to use in their classrooms to boost student interest in history and the humanities. I have freely used images that I have “borrowed’ from websites and books for papers and presentations that I have produced for my college assignments with full confidence that I was safely in the limits of “fair use”. Even though I have no plan to profit from this project I was unsure if these show more productions would still be considered “fair use”. When I offered to review NOLO’s Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off I felt that I had a real, although limited, need for the information.
I was right in that I had a real need for the book; I was wrong thinking the need was limited. From the first chapter on why permission is needed to use intellectual property to the final chapter, 16, on finding help beyond what the book can offer the only information I can honestly say I will not need is the chapter on licensing merchandise. That chapter did give me insight into the work Matco Tools did in order to issue their NFL “Champions” tool boxes that I sold in the early 1990s.
The book is clearly written in a conversational style and manages to explain complicated legal matters without jargon. It is also rational in pointing out that sometimes you do need to contact an expert something I have found other how-to books to be reluctant to admit. I highly recommend this book, if you have any notion of using “borrowed” content be it text, artwork, photographs, cartoons, videos, or trademarks you need to check this book out of your local library to learn how to do it inexpensively and, most importantly, legally. If you do much work you are going to want a copy to keep close at hand. show less

Bigger and better than the last edition. Really! I also own the 3rd edition and wondered how Rich Stim could improve on it, save by updating a few web links. Try "Dear Rich"! This volume ads a whole raft of 'letters to the Editor' wherein very plausible situations are presented and the author gives his considered opinion on the outcome. These are not just a 'consult a lawyer' answers; they explain in a nutshell the governing law and what might happen going forward. These are worth the price show more of the new edition alone, not to mention the additional material and, to me, a more 'flowing' arrangement of the book.

If you create ANYTHING for distribution to others (brochures, shoes, websites or whatever), you really should get this book. It will 'save your bacon' if you use it. show less

Although dated (2007), the book offers a lot of practical advice for retirement. Most I've read somewhere else, but even repetitive information offers fresh ideas. As with many other retirement books, healthy living, strong relationships with friends and family, and hobbies and activities developed now to take into retirement are identified as prime factors for a successful retirement. The debt management section was practical and achievable; most people have debt. The financial information show more is probably better read from a more current work. The book has an index and informative illustrations, many with outdated, but interesting, statistics. show less