If the material you want to use isn’t covered by fair use and isn’t in the public domain, you’ll need to get permission before including it in your work.

Here’s what to do:

Find out who owns the copyright. You can use a tool like The Copyright Alliance to help find the right database or contact.
Ask for permission in writing. This usually means sending an email or a letter. You can often find the contact info through the copyright database.
If you get permission, give credit. Mention the permission in your project, either in the text, in a footnote, or as a caption.
If you can’t get permission, don’t use it. Try to find something else you’re allowed to use instead.

Need help asking for permission? Use this sample Permission Letter Template and customize it for your situation.