Q: Is permission required to read and record books for a preschool reading app?
For a web app in development showcasing reading circles for preschoolers and parents, where parents pay to join a live 30-minute storytime with up to eight participants, would permission be needed from publishers to have their books read if the sessions are recorded and stored for later access? The sessions include additional activities and crafts. Revenue is generated from both the live sessions and replays.
A: Yes, you would need to obtain a license from the publisher in order to legally do this.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Yes, you'll need permission from publishers to read and record books for your preschool reading app. When you share stories through recordings that parents pay to access, you're entering into territory that copyright law specifically protects – the right of creators and publishers to control how their work is performed and reproduced.
The fact that your business generates income from both the live sessions and the replays places this firmly in the commercial category. Your additional activities and crafts add wonderful educational value, but they don't change the fundamental need for permission to use the copyrighted books at the core of your service.
I suggest reaching out directly to the publishers whose books you love most for your readings. Many have specific protocols for educational platforms, and some might even be eager to support innovative approaches to early childhood literacy. Getting proper permissions now will protect your growing business and build positive relationships with the publishing community whose work you're sharing.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
