Permissions FAQs
Here's a few of our Frequently Asked Questions
What can I request permission for by using this online request form?
Extracts, photocopying, prop usage, non-dramatic straight reading, cover and/or image reproduction, dramatisation (stage only).
If your request does not fall into one of these options, but you know which book you wish to use, then please select the ‘Other usage’ option to submit your request.
If you are applying for a renewal of an existing permission licence, please make this clear in your request and include the licence number if possible.
If the material you want to use is published by our sister company in the USA, Penguin Random House LLC, or in Canada by Penguin Random House Canada, you will need to apply for permission here: https://permissions.penguinrandomhouse.com/
If you have a more general enquiry about our books, please email us at: customersupport@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.
How long will it take to receive a response to my request?
Please allow up to 16 weeks to receive a response. It may take us longer to respond during busy periods.
How can I get my request expedited?
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests Penguin Random House UK receives on a daily basis, requests cannot be expedited. We process requests in the order in which they were received and make every effort to do so in a timely manner.
I know what I want to use but the book does not appear in the search function – how should I proceed?
Please check the copyright page to ensure that it is material published by Penguin Random House UK.
If yes, and your request to use material falls into one of the usage options on the online permission request form, please email us:
For books published by Penguin Books Ltd: penguinpermissions@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
For books published by The Random House Group (UK) Ltd: RHpermissions@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
There are several editions of the same book that contains the material I wish to use, but I am unable to choose a particular edition through the search function – how should I proceed?
Please include the ISBN for the specific edition. If the edition was released without an ISBN, please provide the year in which the particular edition was released, and an edition number if available.
I want to reproduce material from more than one book – how should I proceed?
If you require material from a selection of books, please submit one online permission request form for each book.
Please note that if you wish to reproduce more than one piece of material from a single book, you will only need to submit one online permission request form.
I would like to enquire about translation, serial, audio or TV/film rights, who should I contact?
Please direct your request to the appropriate Rights Department: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk/work-with-us/rights-licensing-and-permissions/
I would like an accessible version of one of your books (eg. Braille, giant print) – how should I proceed?
Please visit our Accessibility page of our website for further information.
I want to request permission to use a non-book product e.g. a toy, a mug, prints or other objects – how should I proceed?
For items produced by Penguin Books Ltd: penguinpermissions@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
For items relating to Beatrix Potter, The Snowman (and the Snowdog), Flower Fairies, Vintage Ladybird Books and Spot please email: rights-brandsandlicensing@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Am I able to submit my request by post?
Yes. To ensure that your request is processed efficiently please include your full contact details, confirming your full name, email address, and telephone number as well as providing as much detail in relation to your request as possible. Unfortunately we are not able to accept requests submitted by fax.
For books published by Penguin Books Ltd, please write to us at: Permissions Department, Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL.
For books published by The Random House Group (UK) Ltd, please write to us at: Permissions Department, The Random House Group (UK) Ltd, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 2SA.
The material I would like to use is part of an anthology or a collection. How can I check if it is from a book originally published by Penguin Random House UK?
Please check the acknowledgement page(s) for details on the copyright holder of the material you wish to reproduce. If the copyright is not held by Penguin Random House UK, please apply for permission to the acknowledged third party directly.
I want to request permission for an image/photo. How can I check that Penguin Random House UK owns the rights?
Images are often used in our books with permission from other sources. Please check the copyright page and any credits in the book to see if the material in question is credited to another source; if it is, contact that party directly. If the image is not credited anywhere in the book, please submit a request using the online permission request form.
When does copyright expire in the UK?
Copyright expires 70 years after the end of the calendar year in which the author dies. If copyright has expired, the original text may be reproduced freely and no permission is needed.
Please note that a translation may still be in copyright, so permission may need to be sought for the use of such translation.
When can I use material that is in copyright without permission?
There are certain very specific situations where you may be permitted to reproduce extracts of books without seeking permission from the copyright owner, including for research and private study and for criticism and review.
More information can be found on: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright
I would like to request permission to reproduce material in more than one language – how should I proceed?
We cannot grant translation rights in all languages, please reapply for each separate language at a time when you have determined the publication.
The submit button is not working - what should I do?
Please scroll up and double-check that all mandatory fields (those marked with an asterisk) have been completed before pressing submit.