FAQs

Copying Scripts
Permission Requests
Submitting a Manuscript for Consideration

COPYING SCRIPTS

Why do we have to buy copies of the playscripts for stage management and each member of the cast?
Copyright exists in all published works to protect the author's work and to ensure a livelihood for the author. Reproducing a copyrighted work by any means without prior permission is illegal and results in a loss of livelihood for the author.

The play's out of print so it must be OK for me to make copies of it?
No, not without permission. Although a play may be out of print in a particular edition it doesn't mean the work is out of copyright. In the UK and the European Union copyright exists until the end of the 70th year after the death of the author (and in the case of co-authors the end of the 70th year after the death of the last remaining author). In addition there is typographical copyright which exists for 25 years from the end of the year in which the edition was published. We are happy to advise on Samuel French London publications.

Although the play's out of print I've managed to get a library copy and we want to perform it. Can we make additional copies?
Please contact us as it is necessary to obtain written permission. In the vast majority of cases the play will still be in copyright and so a performing fee is still payable.

May I make an enlarged photocopy of the play for the stage manager?
Providing that it is a Samuel French London publication and that a copy of the play has been purchased by or for the stage manager you may make an enlarged copy for stage management purposes. You must not use the copy for any other purpose without further reference to Samuel French Ltd. We regret we cannot give permission for playscripts published by other publishers.

One of the actors in our group is partially sighted. May we make an enlarged copy of the playscript?
Providing that it is a Samuel French London publication and that a copy of the play has been purchased by or for the actor concerned, you may make an enlarged photocopy. You must not use the copy for any other purpose without further reference to Samuel French Ltd. We cannot give permission for playscripts published by other publishers.

Can you provide/can I make a Braille transcription of a Samuel French London playscript/vocal score?
We regret we are unable to supply Braille transcriptions of Samuel French London publications. However, you are quite free to make a Braille transcription of our publications provided that a copy of the play has been purchased by or for the person concerned. The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is the leading UK charity offering practical support and information to anyone with a sight problem and it has a Braille transcription service. Telephone: 0845 766 9999 / 020 7388 2525. Website: www.rnib.org.uk

I'm a teacher/student and I want to copy a portion of the play for classroom/study/research purposes. Can I photocopy part of the playscript?
It is permissable to copy up to a maximum of four per cent of the total of a published work (for example, if a playscript comprised 40 pages it would be permissible to copy less than 2 pages) but the library of your school or college must be signatories to the Copyright Licensing Agency. The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd licenses the photocopying of extracts from books, journals and magazines. CLA Ltd, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London, EC1N 8TS. Telephone: 020 7400 3100. Email: info@cla.co.uk Website: www.cla.co.uk

Back to the top of the page

PERMISSION REQUESTS

How do I go about reproducing an extract from a Samuel French London publication?
Anyone wishing to reproduce, reprint or copy in any way all or part of a Samuel French London publication in another publication will need permission to do so. Although the work in question may be published by Samuel French it doesn't necessarily mean we are the copyright holders for the rights required. Please contact us in the first instance. If we don't hold the rights you require we can usually advise you who to contact. Almost always, a permission fee will be payable to compensate authors for any additional use of their work.

Back to the top of the page

SUBMITTING A MANUSCRIPT FOR CONSIDERATION

How do I submit a play/musical for publication?
We can only consider full-length plays for publication when they have been produced in the professional theatre as most amateur groups expect full-length scripts to have this sort of background. However, we will read one-act plays on the basis of successful amateur productions. Script must be sent through the post and not by email and should be accompanied by details of any productions they have been given. If you wish the script returned to you, please enclose a stamped and self-addressed envelope. If the play is accompanied by music we require the music as a CD rather than as a manuscript score. Whilst we take every care to ensure the safety of manuscripts submitted to us we regret we cannot be responsible for any loss or damage and manuscripts are submitted entirely at the owner's risk.

Back to the top of the page