Contact Us

Thank you for your interest in the Copyright Advisory Office, and we hope that you find this website to be helpful. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Before you contact us with a copyright question, however, please understand that the office is seriously understaffed, and we cannot handle all of the emails that arrive. We are also primarily a source for copyright information—not for legal advice. We are here to help you learn about copyright in order that you can address the copyright issues that are important for your scholarly work. Please understand that we cannot be your lawyer.

The contact information for the Copyright Advisory Office is provided below. Before sending a message, please consider these possibilities:

Are you looking to set up a meeting or copyright program?

Meetings, workshops, conferences, and programs are an important part of our work, and we can look ahead and try to put something on the calendar. Individual meetings for individual projects are usually difficult to handle. On the other hand, meetings with groups of faculty and others to discuss various approaches to copyright can be most useful.

Are you asking for copyright assistance?

Most of the questions we receive are about fair use, or copyright ownership, or publication agreements, or other such matters. The website has information on these issues and more. Please take a minute to read the QuickGuide and then review the relevant materials on the website. Still cannot find what you need? Please send your question, but tell us what you already have found and read. Remember, we cannot give legal advice, so we are likely to point you back to materials on our site and elsewhere.

Are you asking for permission to use materials you found in the Columbia University Libraries?

Please review our policy carefully. In many situations, permission may not be necessary. If you believe that you still need permission from the Libraries, please ask, and follow our guidance for permissions. Absolutely, include in your request exactly what the material is, where you found it, and why you believe that Columbia may hold the rights.

Are you asking for permission to use materials that are otherwise associated with Columbia University?

If the work was created by a professor, or department, or program at Columbia, you should submit your request directly to that person or office. Again, please follow our guidance. Be detailed, explaining exactly what you want and why you are contacting that party. Keep in mind that we really want to help. Clear and complete information will make the process easier and more successful for you.

Are you ready to send your message?

We look forward to hearing from you. By the way, please tell us who you are and any connection you might have to Columbia University.

In general, a brief email is best to get the conversation started.  This is a small office, so phone calls and drop-ins with copyright questions usually do not work well.

Email: copyright[at]columbia[dot]edu


Mail Address:

Columbia University
Copyright Advisory Office
Butler Library, Room 507
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027

Telephone:

+212-851-0757

Fax:

+212-854-9099

To reach Dr. Crews directly:

kcrews[at]columbia[dot]edu

version 042012