How do I ask for permission on my Facebook page?

Asking for permission on your Facebook page is an important part of engaging your audience and growing your community. Whether you want to use content created by others, promote a partnership, or host a contest, you’ll need to get approval from Facebook and possibly other parties. Here’s what you need to know about asking for permission on Facebook.

Get Approval from Facebook

There are a few key situations where you’ll need to get Facebook’s approval before proceeding:

Running contests or giveaways

Using Facebook content like photos and videos
Tagging a brand or public figure
Promoting third party products or services

For contests and giveaways, you must comply with Facebook’s promotions guidelines. These include rules around eligibility, prizes, disclaimer language and more. Submit your contest for review through the Advertising Policies section of your Page settings. Facebook will review and approve your contest if it meets the requirements.

To use content owned by Facebook like their photos or videos, or to tag any public brand, venue or personality, you’ll need their explicit permission. This is to avoid infringing on trademarks or copyrights. Reach out to the brand or entity directly to ask for permission and discuss any guidelines for crediting or linking.

If you plan to promote or recommend any third party products, services, apps or websites, disclose your relationship clearly. This includes affiliate partnerships or any incentives you are receiving related to the promotion. Be transparent with your audience about paid partnerships or sponsorships.

Get Permission from Other Parties

In addition to Facebook, make sure to get permission from any other individuals, brands or entities involved. Here are some common scenarios:

Using copyrighted material like songs, videos or images
Featuring celebrity names or quotes

Promoting affiliate or sponsored content
Referencing research by others

Always research who owns the rights to any copyrighted works and request their approval before publishing. For affiliate partnerships, follow the terms outlined in your agreement regarding promotion. If interviewing a public figure or expert, get their consent to share quotes or details from your conversation. Give credit to researchers or sources that are referenced.

How to Ask for Permission

Here are some tips on how to properly ask for permission:

Be direct but polite – Clearly state what you are asking to use and for what purpose.
Provide details – Include specifics like publication dates, context of use, affiliation, etc.

Ask the right contact – Address your request to the person or department that handles permissions.
Use the right format – Email or an official permissions request form is best.
Be flexible on use – Give options like one-time or perpetual use.

Discuss compensation – Usage fees may need to be negotiated.

Be sure to keep a paper trail of any permissions granted for your records. Also follow any guidelines from the rights holders on proper usage, attribution, compensation, etc.

Writing a Good Permission Request

The key to a successful permission request is providing all relevant details upfront. Include:

Your full name and publication details
Exact material you wish to use
Where and how the material will be reproduced

Duration of use (single use, perpetual, etc.)

For example:

Dear [Rights Holder],

My name is [Your Name] and I write for [Website/Publication Name]. I am seeking permission to use the following material owned or represented by you:

[Describe material here e.g. Image titled “Sunflowers” by Van Gogh. Quote from interview with author Jane Smith on 01/05/2020. Video titled “Kittens Playing”.]

I request to use this material in the following manner:

[Describe usage here e.g. Image to be included in article “Famous Flower Paintings” on website YourSite.com. Quote to be used in written article to be published in Newsday magazine. Video to be featured in compilation “Cute Animals” on YouTube channel YourChannel.]

The expected publication date is [date]. The material would be used for [single use, perpetual use, etc.].

Please let me know the permissions process and any associated fees. If you have any other requirements for external use of your content, please advise. I would be happy to provide any additional details needed to facilitate this request. You can reach me at [your email and phone].

Thank you,
[Your name]

Allow Time for Permission Approval

Make sure to start your permissions process early, especially if multiple parties need to sign off. It can take several days to a few weeks to get approval depending on:

Popularity of the brand or person
Their permissions request volume
Negotiations around usage terms

Follow up if you haven’t received a response within one week to 10 days. Be polite but persistent. Make sure the right representative is receiving your request.

Options If Permission Is Denied

If your request for permission is ultimately denied, you have a few options:

Modify your request – Change the content, use, duration, etc. and re-submit.

Offer compensation – The rights holder may approve with a licensing fee.
Find alternatives – Use similar works that are free to use or public domain.
Omit that content – Remove the protected elements from your post or campaign.

You can negotiate copyright fees or terms where possible, but avoid publication without consent as this risks legal action. Always respect a rights holder’s decision not to approve permissions.

Using Copyrighted Works

When using copyrighted materials like videos, songs, images and more in your Facebook content, keep a few guidelines in mind:

Obtain direct permission – Contact the creator or rights holder, don’t assume.

Give credit – Attribute works to original artist/creator.
Check license terms – Some works have Creative Commons licenses that permit reuse.
Limit use – Only use portions that fit context of your post.

Alter content – Can modify copyrighted content like remixing music or editing images.

Avoid simply reposting or sharing full copies of copyrighted content without adjustments, attribution or approval. This can result in removal of your content or even legal consequences.

When is permission not required?

There are some limited cases where you can use copyrighted works without direct approval:

Fair use – Using portions of works for commentary, education, etc.
Public domain – Works whose copyrights have expired.
Creative Commons – Works published under CC licensing.

Parody – Transformative comedic or satirical adaptations.

However, these uses can be subject to interpretation, so seek legal guidance as needed on permissible fair or transformative uses.

Showing Trademarks on Facebook

Trademarks include the names, logos, designs, symbols and other brand elements that identify a product or company. As with copyright, you generally need permission to use trademarks.

Here are some tips for handling trademarks on Facebook:

Contact brand owners for approval to use or mention trademarks.
Use marks only to reference or identify brands, not as your own branding.

Attribute trademark references clearly to their company.
Follow any brand guidelines on imagery or presentation.
Distinguish companies from their trademarks like “Starbucks® coffee”.

Avoid potentially misleading uses of trademarks like false endorsements or suggesting affiliation with a brand. You can tag or @mention public brand profiles where relevant without formal approval.

When can you use trademarks freely?

Nominative fair use allows references to trademarks in these situations:

Comparing your product to a branded product

Reselling a branded product
Referencing a company or product for news reporting or commentary

But brand names still should not be used excessively or presented as your own. Avoid domain names, app names or titles that mirror trademarked terms.

Securing Model and Property Releases

If your Facebook content includes images or videos with identifiable:

People
Private property

Trademarked products or artwork

You may need model and property releases to avoid liability:

Model releases – Signed approval from individuals pictured allowing the use of their likeness.

Property releases – Signed approvals from owners of property like buildings permitting commercial image use.

Model releases grant permission to use a person’s photo or visual likeness. Property releases allow you to photograph and distribute images of private spaces or land.

Consider securing releases if your images or videos:

Are used commercially vs personal use
Show identifiable people or private spaces
Are shot on private property or require access permissions

Depict products that may require trademark approvals

Signed releases protect you from potential lawsuits over privacy, publicity rights, trademarks, trespassing, etc. Maintain releases for at least 3-5 years after publication.

Permissions for Facebook Contests

Running contests on Facebook can help engage your audience, but requires additional permissions and compliance:

Facebook Permissions

All contests on Facebook must be submitted for review and approved through Facebook’s permissions tool. Facebook will check that your contest:

Complies with promotion guidelines and community standards
Is administered fairly and legally

Discloses rules, eligibility and prizes accurately

Facebook may require you to make changes before approving your contest to run on their platform. Make sure to get their approval before operating any contest on your Page.

Regulatory Compliance

Certain types of contests and giveaways may be subject to legal regulations on sweepstakes, skill-based games and other promotions. This can include rules like:

No fees or purchases required to enter
Specifying odds and prize values
Informing state consumer protection bureaus

Restrictions for alcohol or age-regulated prizes

Consult giveaway laws in the states and countries where your contest is open to ensure compliance. Violations can lead to FTC enforcement actions or lawsuits.

Partner Approvals

If your contest involves:

Brand partners or sponsors
Celebrity judges or co-hosts
Prizes provided by third parties

Secure the necessary permissions from all participating individuals and organizations. Confirm their desired level of involvement and use of trademarks or other intellectual property.

How to Credit Others’ Work on Facebook

When posting material on Facebook created by others or with outside permission, properly crediting sources is crucial. Follow these best practices:

Tag people – @mention any creators or contributors

Credit companies – Include logos or @tags where granted permission
Link to sources – Hyperlink to third party websites or profiles

Provide context – Explain relationship, sponsorship, circumstances of use, etc.

Crediting should be clear and reasonably prominent. Placing credits in an obscured location or using confusing language can still result in allegations of unauthorized usage or failure to properly attribute. Honor partners by tagging and thanking them for permissions granted.

Avoiding Copyright and Trademark Infringement

Steer clear of these practices to avoid intellectual property disputes:

Don’t repost full copies of copyrighted videos, songs, images or other content.
Don’t use trademarks in your own product names, logos or branding.
Don’t imply endorsement from an individual or brand without permission.

Don’t use unauthorized celebrity names, quotes, or likenesses.
Don’t feature logos, products or intellectual property without approval.
Don’t violate license terms if adapting or sharing creative works.

Ignoring permissions requirements or overstepping usage rights can lead to content takedown, legal claims, and brand damage. Handle all third party assets carefully and according to agreements.

Consequences of Copyright and Trademark Violations

If you use protected material without appropriate permissions, you may face:

Content removal – Facebook will take down infringing posts if properly reported.

Account restrictions – Repeat offenses can lead to temporary or permanent bans.
DMCA takedown – Copyright holders can send DMCA notices requiring removal.
Litigation – Rights holders may sue for substantial damages over unauthorized usage.

Loss of trust – Your audience loses faith if you violate intellectual property rules.

Proactively comply with all permissions requirements and license agreements. If you receive a takedown notice or claim from rights holders, consult an attorney promptly to determine your next steps.

Best Practices for Handling Permissions

Here are some top tips for smoothly securing permissions for your Facebook content:

Research who owns rights to any works you want to use and the proper contact.
Send friendly, detailed requests providing context and specifics.
Follow up if you don’t receive a response within 7-10 days.

Negotiate in good faith around usage terms and fees.
Keep clear records of all permissions granted.
Properly credit content sources and comply with any restrictions.

If declined, make adjustments or find alternatives.

Building relationships with potential brand partners through a permissions process can lead to exciting collaborations down the line. Be respectful of other creators and their legal rights.

Conclusion

Handling permissions properly is a key part of managing your presence on Facebook and other platforms. From contests and copyrighted works to trademarks and model releases, there are many scenarios that require formal approval. By starting the permissions process early, providing key details, following up promptly, and maintaining meticulous records, you can get the legal sign-off needed to share great content with your audience.