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Technical Handout Illustration Reference

Technical Handout Illustration Reference

Technical Handout Illustration Reference

(OP)
Hi all, this is not a technical question but am hoping to get advice on a technical handout I am writing for technical training purposes.

I am intending to use manufacturer product or other book illustrations to supplement the manuals I am writing. Will it be enough to indicate the source of the illustrations in my handout (just below the figure) or do I need to ask for a written permission from the manufacturer or book publisher?

Some manufacturer pictures for example are: elecrical equipment (motors, transformers, switchgears etc) pictures or cut-out views, curves for IEEE red book, etc.

I would appreciate advises from folks who have done training materials or authored books before. Thank you in advance.

RE: Technical Handout Illustration Reference

I think that if this is for in-house training on the equipment you have then you shouldn't have any issues. If this is training that you hope to offer to a broader audience, particularly a paying audience, then yes you need all sorts of permissions.

RE: Technical Handout Illustration Reference

I do a lot of training in-house. Sometimes the company will video the class, including the presentations with images (using Webex or some other) and post it on our web site.

davidbeach is absolutely right.

The in-house work constitutes fair use. Posting for the public (marketing, customer training, other public sharing) is not. Get permissions. Cite all sources.

Here is a good learning place about copyright laws in the US:

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/students/usi...

There is some sort of international treaty in which all participating countries share approximately the same rules.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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RE: Technical Handout Illustration Reference

(OP)
thanks davidbeach and WRdeig. So how oes it work in your own opinion? do I need to identify which clause of a book/standard and manufacturer catalog image I will use on a list attached to a letter asking permission to the author/manufacturer? Or do I have to send them draft copy of the document handout for their review?

Yes david, this will be used for a paying audience.

RE: Technical Handout Illustration Reference

You contact the copyright holder, tell them what you are putting together and detail what material you wish to use and ask for permission. Where it goes from there is up to the copyright holder. If your looking for more than just a few citations you might be well served to hire the services of someone who do that regularly.

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