anyone know anything about copy right? especially any academics?

[hatwoman]

I think this may be a stupid question but what the heck....I've had an article accepted for publication and I've been asked to sign a copy right form - I'm sure it's all very standard (reputable publisher). But the one bit I'm unsure of is the bit where I say I have secured all necessary permission for the reproduction of any copy righted text and images. Now it's a pretty standard article which cites countless other articles and books. I am praying this does not mean I have to seek permission for each of these citations? It would talk me forever. please tell me I'm being paranoid and that I'd don't need persmission for normal, fully footnoted, quoting....

There are fair use guidelines for quoted text. Just a sec, I'll find something. You're in the UK?

Here's the standard advice that Blackwell gives to authors, in case that is helpful to you:

Permission is need to reproduce photographs, figures, poetry and quotations of more than around 400 words taken from previously published sources or otherwise copyrighted. Further guidelines are available from the Blackwell website: www.blackwellpublishing.com/authors/permission.asp?site=1.)

You should be fine - This page is relevant, as is this one. It's not fair use in the UK, it's fair dealing, but same difference, from what I see.

thank you! I guess I need to check that there are no quotes of over 400 words - but I very much doubt it. actually that's 40 odd lines isn't it? no way there's anything of that length.

It is quite normal to cite other works in published articles and your copyright agreement will only really have issues with extended quotation, photographs or specific stuff like trademarked material etc...

Don't be paranoid. And congratulations BTW. On the acceptance.

University of Cambridge says 800 words on longer pieces. You should be fine.

Yeah, congratulations!

Illustrations or graphs or whatever are harder to use, by the way, from what I read.

it means you have to properly acknowledge things like diagrams that you've nicked used. i think....

right I've signed it. if I get taken to court I'll blame you lot. that ok with you all?

Dh is always having to get permissionfor anything that isn't words - maps, pictures, family trees etc. I don't remember any problem with text, but you need to be careful to cite everything.

yay.