Protecting Your Work and Respecting the Rights of Others
Copyright protects original creative expression and gives copyright owners important rights over how their work is reproduced, published, distributed, adapted and communicated.
This page provides general publishing guidance. It is not legal advice. Authors should consult a qualified intellectual-property lawyer when ownership, permissions or potential infringement is uncertain.
Who Owns the Copyright?
In Canada, an original work is generally protected automatically when it is created and fixed in a material form, such as a written manuscript, photograph, illustration or recorded work.
Copyright registration is not required for protection, although voluntary registration may provide useful evidence of ownership.
The person who creates a work is often its first copyright owner, but ownership may be affected by:
• Employment arrangements
• Commissioned-work agreements
• Collaboration or co-authorship
• Previous publishing contracts
• Written assignments
• Inheritance or estate arrangements
• The laws of the applicable country
Do not assume ownership when another person contributed to the work.
Copyright at Huggins Publishers
Authors generally retain copyright in their original works unless a written agreement states otherwise.
The publishing agreement grants Huggins Publishers the rights necessary to edit, produce, publish, distribute, market and sell the book according to the agreed terms. The exact rights, formats, territories, duration and termination provisions are governed by the signed agreement.
Authors should read the complete agreement before signing it and keep a copy for their records.
Copyright Notice
A published book commonly includes a notice such as:
Copyright © [year] [copyright owner’s name]
All rights reserved.
The copyright page may also include:
• Publisher information
• ISBN
• Edition and publication year
• Printing information
• Rights and permissions statement
• Disclaimer
• Credits for cover art, photography or illustrations
• Scripture-translation acknowledgements
• Library or cataloguing information, where applicable
A copyright notice identifies the claimed owner but does not replace a clear publishing agreement or permission records.
Material That May Require Permission
Written permission may be required before publishing material created by someone else, including:
• Photographs and illustrations
• Artwork and maps
• Tables, charts and diagrams
• Song lyrics
• Poems
• Extended quotations
• Letters, emails and private messages
• Website and social-media content
• Translations
• Previously published chapters or articles
• Interviews or contributions owned by another party
• Adapted or substantially reproduced material
Giving credit does not automatically create permission to use protected material.
Quotations
There is no universal number of words that may always be quoted without permission. Whether permission is required can depend on:
• The length and importance of the extract
• The purpose for which it is used
• The amount used in relation to the original work
• Whether the use may affect the market for the original
• The country in which the book will be published or distributed
• Whether a statutory exception applies
Every quotation should be accurate and properly attributed. When uncertain, obtain written permission or seek legal advice.
Song Lyrics and Poetry
Song lyrics and poems are often protected even when only a small portion is reproduced. Permission may be required from the copyright owner or authorized licensing representative.
Do not assume that material is free to use because it appears online, is used in worship, is widely known or is credited to its creator.
Bible and Scripture Quotations
Many modern Bible translations are copyrighted and have specific quotation limits and acknowledgement requirements.
Authors should:
• Identify every translation used
• Apply the required abbreviation consistently
• Check the rights holder’s current quotation policy
• Include the required copyright acknowledgement
• Request permission if the proposed use exceeds permitted limits
Public-domain translations may be subject to different rules in different countries.
Images, Artwork and Photography
An author must own or have permission to publish every image included in a book.
For each image, keep:
• Creator or photographer’s name
• Source
• Ownership information
• Written licence or permission
• Required credit wording
• Any restrictions on format, territory, edition or duration
Purchasing a photograph, commissioning artwork or appearing in an image does not necessarily transfer copyright.
Images downloaded from websites, search engines or social media should not be used without verifying ownership and obtaining the necessary authorization.
People, Privacy and Releases
Publishing a recognizable person’s image, personal story, medical information, private correspondence or other sensitive information may involve privacy, consent, personality or defamation concerns in addition to copyright.
When appropriate, obtain a written release from the person concerned. Extra care should be taken with children, vulnerable persons and confidential information.
Public-Domain Material
A work may enter the public domain after its copyright expires, but copyright duration varies by country and may depend on factors such as authorship, publication history and the type of work.
A modern translation, edited edition, photograph, introduction, annotation or design based on an older public-domain work may have its own copyright.
Verify the status of the exact material and edition you intend to use.
Fair Dealing and Other Exceptions
Canadian copyright law contains limited exceptions, including fair dealing for specified purposes. Whether a particular use qualifies depends on its purpose and fairness in the circumstances.
Fair dealing is not the same as the broader American concept of fair use. Authors should not rely on either doctrine without carefully considering the applicable law and, where necessary, obtaining legal advice.
Co-Authors and Contributors
Before submitting a jointly created manuscript, the contributors should have a written agreement addressing:
• Copyright ownership
• Percentage interests
• Author order and credit
• Editorial decision-making
• Publishing authority
• Royalties and expenses
• Future editions and adaptations
• Withdrawal, incapacity or death
• Dispute resolution
The person submitting the manuscript must have authority from all applicable rights holders to seek publication.
Previously Published Material
Tell Huggins Publishers if any part of the manuscript has previously appeared in:
• Another book
• A journal or magazine
• A newspaper
• A website or blog
• A thesis or institutional repository
• A commercial course
• An anthology
• Another publisher’s edition
Provide the earlier agreement or applicable rights information. Previous publication does not necessarily prevent republication, but the author must confirm that the required rights are available.
Artificial-Intelligence Content
Authors must disclose substantial use of artificial intelligence in generating, rewriting, translating or illustrating submitted content.
The author remains responsible for:
• Originality
• Factual accuracy
• Proper attribution
• Copyright compliance
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Defamation and other legal risks
• Compliance with platform and distributor requirements
Do not submit AI-generated or AI-assisted material that imitates, reproduces or unlawfully derives from protected work.
Requesting Permission
A permission request should clearly identify:
• The material you want to use
• Its creator and copyright owner
• The amount being reproduced
• Your book’s title and author
• Print, digital and other intended formats
• Languages
• Distribution territories
• Expected publication date
• Whether the book will be sold commercially
• The requested duration of permission
• The required credit wording
Permission should be received in writing before final publication.
Keep Complete Records
Maintain a permissions folder containing:
• Signed permission letters
• Licences and releases
• Email approvals
• Payment receipts
• Source information
• Required acknowledgements
• Expiry dates and restrictions
Submit copies of applicable permissions to Huggins Publishers during production.
Author’s Responsibility
The author is responsible for disclosing third-party material and confirming that the manuscript can lawfully be published.
Huggins Publishers may request evidence of ownership, permission, attribution or release. Material may be removed or publication delayed when adequate rights documentation is not available.
Final Permission Checklist
Before approving publication, confirm that:
• The manuscript is your original work or properly authorized
• All contributors and co-authors are identified
• Previously published material is disclosed
• Quotations and sources are accurately credited
• Image and artwork permissions are documented
• Required releases have been obtained
• Bible-translation acknowledgements are included
• AI-assisted material is disclosed and reviewed
• All permission conditions are reflected in the final book
• Copies of all supporting documents have been retained
When in Doubt, Ask Before Publication
Copyright and permission questions should be resolved before the final files are approved. Early disclosure protects the author, publisher, contributors and readers.
Huggins Publishers Inc.
Knowledge • Faith • Legacy