Quick Guide to Exhibiting Materials Responsibly

These tools and resources are intended to provide guidance on how to navigate copyright. Please keep in mind that librarians can provide information and resources to help you navigate copyright related questions, but we do not give legal advice, as we are not lawyers.

If you lawfully acquired and own an object, you can display it (see section 109 below from Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17)). This is how The Claremont Colleges Library can display copyrighted works in their exhibit cases.

109. Limitations on exclusive rights: Effect of transfer of particular copy or phonorecord (c) …the owner of a particular copy lawfully made under this title, or any person authorized by such owner, is entitled, without the authority of the copyright owner, to display that copy publicly…

• If you’re obtaining copyrighted images by some method of reproduction without permission and displaying them, it could be an issue (see section 110).
• Citation and intellectual property are two different things, so citing a work does not mean that you have the right to reproduce it and display the reproduction. You would need to refer to the copyright license or directly to the copyright holder.
• Creative works tend to have higher standards for determining fair use (e.g., music, art).

Say you want to display...

• An object you have in your possession that was lawfully acquired.
  • As the owner of the object, you can display the physical object.
• An image in a book.
  • It’s recommended that you loan the book and display it with the page open. Speak with your librarian if it is a book from The Claremont Colleges Library.
• An image from Creative Commons.
  • Check the Creative Commons license terms to see what you can or cannot do with the image.
• An original work that you find online.
  • You need to obtain permission from the copyright holder in writing. Keep in mind you may be denied, or they might require a cost. See the resources section for guidance.

• “The Basics of Getting Permission” from Stanford University Libraries
• “Asking for Permission” from Columbia University Libraries
• "Copyright Services: Seeking Permission" by Cornell University Library
  • Use the Copyright Review Workbook to keep track of your permissions. You may want to have a shared spreadsheet for your group. Keep a copy of all correspondence and forms.

Sample language: I am asking for permission to use the following material in a student-curated exhibition at [exhibit location] called “[exhibit title].” The [exhibit location] is a non-profit educational institution that does not charge entry fees for the exhibit. I would be pleased to include a full citation to the work and other acknowledgement as you might request. If you require any additional information, do not hesitate to contact me at [email/phone number].

Note: Be sure to include information about specific materials you want to use and the duration of time you intend to use it for.