Can I use excerpts from books for my website?
May 8, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Sandra Altmann
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Emma Ackermann and I run a website where I write about literature and books. In my posts, I would like to quote passages from books to support my analyses and opinions. However, I am unsure if I am legally allowed to do so.
Currently, I am already using some quotes without obtaining the exact source information or permission from the rights holders. I am concerned that this may violate copyright laws and that I may face legal consequences as a result.
My question to you as an expert in copyright law is therefore whether I am allowed to use text passages from books for my website and how I should proceed to avoid legal problems. Are there specific rules or guidelines that I need to follow? Should I ask the authors for permission or is it sufficient to correctly cite the sources?
I am grateful for your help and advice on this matter, as legal security is very important to me. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Emma Ackermann
Dear Mrs. Ackermann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of text passages from books on your website in relation to copyright. It is understandable that you are concerned about potential legal consequences and therefore seeking clear guidelines.
In general, it is allowed to quote text passages from books as long as copyright is respected. This means that as the author, you must respect the rights of the original author and provide correct attribution. The correct citation includes the name of the author, the title of the work, the year of publication, and, if applicable, the page number from which the quote originates. The correct attribution makes it clear that it is a quote and not your own wording.
It is important to note that the right to quote is regulated in copyright law and is subject to certain conditions. The right to quote allows the use of text passages from copyrighted works such as books, but only to a certain extent and for a specific purpose, namely for explanation, as evidence, or to clarify one's own train of thought. The quotes must not constitute the main content of your own work and must be integrated into your own context.
With regards to your question whether you need to ask authors for permission to quote text passages from their books, this depends on the specific situation. If they are short quotes and used within the right to quote, usually no permission is required. However, it is advisable to ask for permission from the rights holders, especially for longer quotes or if you are unsure if the quote complies with the right to quote.
In summary, you are allowed to use text passages from books for your website as long as you adhere to the right to quote and provide correct attribution. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the exact regulations of the right to quote and, if necessary, obtain permission from the authors in individual cases to avoid legal issues.
I hope this information helps you and answers your question sufficiently. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Sandra Altmann
Copyright Lawyer
