Whether you need permission to publish your thesis as a book depends on several important factors such as:
- your university’s copyright policies;
- any prior publications;
- and whether your thesis includes copyrighted or third-party materials.
If you’re planning to turn your thesis into a book, it’s essential to understand the legal considerations involved in the academic publishing process.
Why Is Permission Needed to Publish Your Thesis as a Book?
The need for permission stems from the distinction between academic copyright and book publishing rights. While you typically hold the copyright to your thesis, institutions sometimes retain rights, particularly if the thesis is part of a funded project or includes previously published material.
Here’s how the academic copyright and book publishing rights differ.
- Copyright for theses usually belongs to the author unless otherwise stated. However, universities might require you to deposit your thesis in an open-access repository, which may affect commercial publishing.
- Book publishing rights involve granting a publisher the license to reproduce, distribute, and sell your work, which may require clearing previous rights.
If your thesis contains:
- excerpts from published journal articles;
- images, data, or graphs from third-party sources;
- co-authored chapters
…then you’ll likely need copyright permission from the original publishers or contributors before publishing it as a book.
When You DON’T NEED Permission to Publish Your Thesis as a Book
You may not need permission if:
- You own full copyright of the thesis.
- The thesis hasn’t been published elsewhere.
- No third-party content is included without a license.
- Your university does not claim publishing rights or impose restrictions.
Always check your university’s intellectual property in academic publishing policies and ensure no prior agreements limit your ability to publish commercially.
How Do I Get Permission to Publish?
The permissions process involves 5 simple steps:
- Determine if permission is needed
Review your thesis for any third-party content or previous publications. - Identify the owner
Find out who owns the rights to any copyrighted materials—this could be a journal publisher, your co-author, or an image database. - Identify the rights needed
Specify whether you need permission for re-use in a book, online publication, or both. - Contact the owner and negotiate whether payment is required
Use the publisher’s website or rights management system. Be clear and professional in your request. - Get your permission agreement in writing
Always obtain a formal license or email approval to avoid legal issues later.
Can I Publish My PhD Thesis as a Book?
Yes, you can publish your PhD thesis as a book . Many academic authors do so, especially when seeking to expand their audience beyond academic databases.
Explore the different options for publishing your thesis as a book depending on your goals—whether it’s wide distribution, niche readership, or cost-efficiency.
How to Get Copyright Permission From a Journal?
Source: University Of Pittsburgh
To get copyright permission from a journal, look for a link on the article’s abstract page,often labeled “Get rights and content” or something similar.
This link usually redirects you to the Copyright Clearance Center, where you can request permission by filling out basic information.
- Select the type of use (e.g., book chapter).
- Enter basic publication information.
- Pay any applicable fees.
- Download your license for safekeeping.
This system makes it easier to repurpose your academic work legally.
What Happens if You Publish Your Thesis with Lambert Academic Publishing?
At Lambert Academic Publishing, we make it easy for authors to take the next step and publish their thesis as a book. Our process allows you to submit your book’s manuscript without the hassle of upfront publishing fees.
We specialize in print-on-demand publishing, which ensures cost-effective global distribution and eliminates the need for large print runs or inventory.
We believe in giving authors the opportunity to share their academic work with a wider audience, professionally and efficiently.
Before publishing, we encourage all authors to carefully review the publishing agreement to fully understand the rights and responsibilities involved.