Yesterday I was at Staples trying to make color copies of clips including those from TIME, Student Traveler, and STA’s Break. But the people at the copy desk wouldn’t let me because of copyright laws. The magazine owns the copyright.
“But I’m the author, I’ll show you my id, I only want my stuff for my porfolio that I’m updating and I have a job interview TODAY!”
They pointed me to the TIME’s Customer Service phone number and told me to call them for approval. To which TIME gave me a bad phone number for me to get some kind of fax. Ok, so they are big scary publishers…just let me copy these two smaller mags. Nope, same issue.
Anyway, without naming names or getting anyone in trouble, I will tell you that I was able to find a way to get my needs met. But this keeps happening to me. At Kinko’s, at Office Depot, and now at Staples. So, fellow writers, either invest in more clips, or start requesting some kind of authorization letter to get your clips copied when you turn in your invoice.
That is unbelievable! I am literally on my way out to my local (ie small and independent) copy shop where they’ve just finished copying my last six month’s worth of clips – without question. Maybe the big chains should be avoided.
Copy shops here in Canada have to pay a copyright licence fee to our gov’t copyright watchdog (https://accesscopyright.ca/) and that money is paid out to the copyright holders, whether it’s magazines, publishers or individual authors. This allows for schools to copy books for class, etc. I guess the money is factored into the cost of the photocopying.
Liam! Thanks for the great news. It just so happens that I have my clips with me and I’m going to Toronto the first weekend in October! I can get a whole bunch made! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
Any chance you’re in Toronto or Guelph? Email me if you are and want to meet up. jen at jenleo dot com.