Course 4: Rights, Permissions and Credits (for Self-Publishers, UK and US) (PDF Guide)

A 34-page printable PDF guide for UK and US self-publishers whose book uses anything they did not create, such as quotes, song lyrics, photos, maps or fonts: how copyright works, when you need permission and how to credit it.

It is part of Self-Publishing: From Beginner to Pro, a ten-course series of printable PDF guides from Long Room Learning. Written in plain UK English with UK and US rules side by side. Facts, prices and platform rules were checked on the official websites on 27 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.

What you'll learn

• Copyright basics for authors, UK and US side by side, including moral rights and who owns commissioned work
• How long copyright lasts, public domain traps, and KDP's rules for public domain books
• How to list everything in your book you did not create, in a rights and permissions register
• Why a credit is not the same as permission, with a decision diagram
• UK fair dealing and the quotation exception, and US fair use, in outline from official guidance
• Tricky items: song lyrics, poems, photographs, maps, data, screenshots, translations, interviews and UK orphan works licences
• Stock image and font licences, open fonts and Creative Commons explained
• How to ask for permission in writing, and what to agree with designers, illustrators and co-authors
• Credit lines, a sample copyright page, US registration benefits and fees, and keeping evidence

Three printable handouts: a rights and permissions register, a permission request template and a pre-publication checklist

Who it's for

First-time self-publishers in the UK or the US whose book contains, or might contain, anything they did not create: a quotation, a song lyric, a photograph, a map, a chart, a screenshot or a font.

Who it's not for

It is not legal advice and cannot tell you whether a particular use is allowed; for your own situation, ask a solicitor (UK) or attorney (US). It does not cover defamation, privacy, data protection, trade marks or contract law in any detail.

Common questions

Can I quote song lyrics in my book?

Usually only with permission. Song lyrics are one of the highest-risk items in a book, a credit on its own does not make a use lawful, and there is no safe number of words or lines in the UK or the US. Allow time and budget for permission, or leave them out. Course 4 shows how to ask for permission in writing.

How much can I quote from another book without permission?

There is no safe number of words in either country. UK exceptions (fair dealing and the quotation exception) and US fair use are narrow and depend on the facts. Course 4 explains them in outline from official guidance.

Do I need to register copyright for my book in the UK?

No. In the UK your writing is protected automatically once it is created and fixed, and there is no register to join. In the US, registration is optional but has legal benefits; on 27 October 2026 the US Copyright Office listed $45 for a single-author electronic filing and $65 for the Standard Application. Course 4 covers both.

How long does copyright last on a book?

In the UK, written work is usually protected until 70 years after the author's death. In the US, works created from 1978 are generally protected for the author's life plus 70 years. Public domain depends on the country and the edition: a modern translation or edition of an old text may still be in copyright.

Is it enough to credit the source?

No. A credit is good practice and often required, but on its own it does not make a use lawful. For each item you did not create, you need a licence, permission or a reasoned basis, and you should keep the evidence.

Can I use a stock photo or font on my book cover?

Only within the terms of its licence. Stock image and font licences can restrict covers, print runs, products and ebooks, so read them before you buy. Course 4 lists the questions to ask.

What you get

An instant-download A4 PDF (34 pages) to read on screen or print, including three printable handouts: a rights and permissions register, a permission request template and a pre-publication rights checklist.

Digital download (PDF). General information only; not legal advice. Law, guidance and platform rules were checked on official sources on 27 October 2026 and can change at any time. Laws and official guidance change, so for up-to-date advice on your own situation, ask a suitably qualified solicitor (UK) or attorney (US). Long Room Learning is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Intellectual Property Office, the US Copyright Office, Amazon KDP, Creative Commons or any other organisation named. No product or service is endorsed.