To Determine Whether You Already Have Permissions
Read the copyright notice (it usually is accompanied by the symbol “©”) that is on the copyrighted work. The notice might contain permissions regarding use.
If you have a license or contract that accompanied the copyrighted work, read it. The license or contract will explain the permitted uses for the copyrighted work.
To Determine Who To Contact To Obtain Permission
Contact the copyright owner or an organization authorized to grant permission on behalf of the copyright owner.
The copyright owner might be identified on the copyrighted work itself, such as in the copyright notice.
Some organizations are authorized to grant permission or licenses on behalf of the copyright owner. Below are links to some of those organizations:
Copyright Clearance Center Artists Rights Society American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers Broadcast Music, Inc. Recording Industry Association of America SESAC Motion Picture Licensing Corporation
The U.S. Copyright Office has records of registrants and ownership documents that are searchable.
Contact the University library for further assistance.