Copyright Hassles

Yesterday I was at Staples trying to make color copies of clips including those from TIME, Student Traveler, and STA's Break. But the people at the copy desk wouldn't let me because of copyright laws. The magazine owns the copyright. "But I'm the author, I'll show you my id, I only want my stuff for my porfolio that I'm updating and I have a job interview TODAY!" They pointed me to the TIME's Customer Service phone number and told me to call them for approval. To which TIME gave me a bad phone number for me to get some kind of fax. Ok, so they are big scary publishers...just let me copy these two smaller mags. Nope, same issue. Anyway, without naming names or getting anyone in trouble, I will tell you that I was able to find a way to get my needs met. But this keeps happening to me. At Kinko's, at Office Depot, and now at Staples. So, fellow writers, either invest in more clips, or start requesting some kind of authorization letter to get your clips copied when you turn in your invoice.