Nearly two thirds of publishers take more than a month to process permission requests to use their content, new research from PLS shows.

An analysis of publishers’ own published response times to permissions requests suggests that opportunities to generate revenues from permissions may be being missed. If it takes too long to get clearance a requestor may well choose to use a different work or even risk infringing copyright. Meanwhile lengthy delays can harm a publisher’s reputation, especially amongst their authors.

Like most sectors, publishers are up against some very real challenges as a result of the havoc wrought on the economy by the Covid-19 pandemic. Every revenue stream matters, however modest. Efficiently handled permissions and good management of their rights ensure that publisher earn more from their rights.

Amy Ellis, Rights & Licensing Manager at PLS reports that “it takes around 4 weeks to renew your passport. At least 63% of publishers state that they take 4 or more weeks to respond to a permissions request.”

Opportunities for efficiencies in permissions and rights management are amongst the topics being addressed at PLS’ first ever virtual Rights and Licensing Forum today. PLS offers publishers guidance and tools to navigate these all too often neglected areas. Publishers not sure about how to reduce their response times are encouraged to investigate PLS Permissions. It’s free to sign up. 

And those who need guidance about better rights management will find a wealth of practical information and tips on the new Rights & Licensing Hub, a website launched by PLS today at the Forum.

The Forum concludes with the leaders of trade associations ALPSP, IPG, PPA and the PA providing their insight into the opportunities and challenges for all publishers from Brexit, Covid-19, Open Access and the transition to digital.

Sarah Faulder, Chief Executive of PLS commented “A not-for-profit organisation, PLS has always served the interests of the publishing industry. There is no more important time than now for us to be leveraging our skills and knowledge base in rights for the benefit of publishers who may be seeking to streamline their business and maximise revenues.”

ENDS

Notes for editors

Publishers’ Licensing Services provides collective rights management services to publishers by overseeing collective licensing for book, journal, magazine and website copying. PLS also provides permissions and other rights management services to the publishing industry. Established by publishers for publishers and owned by the industry, PLS is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1981 owned and directed by the four publishing trade associations, ALPSP, IPG, PPA and the PA.

Contact Simon Edmed, Communication and Events Manager for further information at s.edmed@pls.org.uk or 07886 114809.

PLS Permissions PLS Permissions is an award-winning suite of services designed to make it easy to request and grant permission for content from books, journals, magazines, and online. The platform, PLSclear, connects requestors to publishers and gives publishers the tools they need to respond to requests quickly with minimal admin. Click here for more information about the service. 

Contact: Amy Ellis, Rights and Licensing Manager at a.ellis@pls.org.uk or 07725 261699.

Rights & Licensing Hub: A new website by PLS launched today designed to provide the publishing industry with practical advice and guidance on rights management and to encourage best practice. Appropriate content will be added over time and contributions are welcome. Designed and built in consultation with rights experts and consultants drawn from across the book, journal and magazine publishing sectors, PLS is grateful to the members of the PLS Rights Group who made this work possible.

Click here for more information about the service.