What are the rules about quoting from books?

1. 72

   DaisyChainposted 13 years ago

   What are the rules about quoting from books?
   
   I have quoted short passages, (in full, exactly, with quotation marks), from books, given author and title, promoted book with Amazon. However, I've been told by a friend in publishing that I should apply to the publisher even to quote a paragraph, and possibly pay a fee. Is this true?

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2. 61

   Tirzah Laughsposted 13 years ago

   Are you quoting for academia or fiction?  The rules are different.
   
   In academic papers, the rules are more open.  As long as you cite it correctly, you can site fairly large passages in academic papers without prior permission.  Citing required.  These do NOT create income for you but rather are used for educational purposes.
   
   In fiction or non-fiction books intended for commercial sale, the rules are different.   I don't remember that exact cut-off but if you put in more than a certain percentage of the book/page, you'll need permission even if it's cited.
   
   There is a limit on commercial projects.
   
   Quoting of songs in ANY commercial project is always accompanied by a fee.
   
   I couldn't find the article I needed but here is a less helpful one.
   
   http://www.wordsmitten.com/2003litpermit.htm

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3. 0

   blake4dposted 13 years ago

   Generally it is best to quote from the dead that have no living heirs or relatives that can sue you for royalties or copyright infringement. I on the other hand think copyright is an out dated and dead concept that should be eliminated in culture. Therefore please read thru all my writing here on Hubpages and anywhere else on the web and quote every single word to your hearts desire. I demand that you steal from me or quit asking for quotes from everybody else.
   
   Quoting is for whimps.
   Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.
   Real artists know they are stealing and are proud to do so.
   End quote.
   
   Use that.

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4. 60

   FloraBreenRobisonposted 12 years ago

   The length of passages you quote is extremely important.  You use quotes to highlight, not look like you are padding your words, for example.  If you are quoting for a book review and the quote is relevant to what  you want to say about the book, this is not a problem.  Even if you make a living reviewing books, as long as the quote is short it will be seen as advertising from within a book review.  and inscholastic papers, the same thing applies.  But in any other case, this gets tricky.  It's best to quote people who have long since died, and make every effort to find out if there is a copyright out there.  And state what evidence you found.  I've seen this in short story anthologies.  They list who owns the copyright for every story where there is one.

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