Permissions Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is copyright? Which PMI publications are copyrighted?

    Copyright laws give an author or creator of an original work the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute or otherwise use that work for a fixed time period. The author may legally assign his or her rights to a third party. In this case, the third party becomes the copyright holder. All standards, periodicals and books produced or published by PMI are PMI copyrighted materials which are protected under copyright law and may require permission from PMI to use.

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  2. What is permission, and when do I need to request it?

    Permission is authorization from PMI to either make copies of PMI copyrighted material or republish part of or an entire work of PMI copyrighted material. If you would like to use any portion of PMI copyrighted material - in either print or electronic media - you must first obtain written permission and pay the appropriate permission fee, where applicable.

    You must tell PMI what you wish to do by completing and submitting PMI's standard permissions form. Please answer each question fully and completely. All requests must be submitted through this form. Only those requests submitted through the Copyright Clearance Center do not need to be submitted to PMI.

    If you are still unsure whether or not your use requires permission, you should still submit a permissions form and wait for a response before using PMI material.

    Note: A submission of the permissions form is not an implied grant of use of the requested materials.

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  3. If I paraphrase any portion of PMI copyrighted material, do I need to request permission?

    Yes. You must credit the original source if you paraphrase. Paraphrasing should not be used to avoid requesting permission from PMI. PMI requires those who are paraphrasing to request permission to avoid copyright infringement. View the PMI permissions form.

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  4. If I redraw a figure, table or graph from PMI copyrighted material, do I need to request permission?

    Yes. Copying the same structure and content of graphics still constitutes as a direct reference. You must credit the original source. PMI requires those who are redrawing figures/tables/graphs to request permission to avoid copyright infringement. View the PMI permissions form.

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  5. I am the author or co-author of a PMI work. Do I need to request permission to reuse material from my work?

    Yes. Authors must request permission to reuse material from their own work. However, permission will not be unreasonably withheld. View PMI permissions form. Authors are not required to pay a fee for use of their own work. PMI authors of the Seminars & Symposium Proceedings or the Research Conference Proceedings are not required to request permission from PMI to reuse material from their work.

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  6. May I photocopy a PMI publication for others in my office or study group?

    No. PMI generously furnishes complimentary copies of PMI publications to all PMI members as a benefit of membership. These complimentary copies are for one's personal use and may not be reproduced or disseminated to others. Nonmembers are encouraged to purchase PMI publications from the Marketplace or from the Fulfillment Center at +1-770-280-4129.

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  7. Can I post a copy of the A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)

    Those wishing to post PMBOK® Guide or another PMI publication to an internet site must obtain a Site License Agreement and pay the appropriate permission fee. To do this, please complete and submit the PMI permissions form.

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  8. Can I translate the PMBOK® Guide or another PMI standard?

    PMI has official translations of the PMBOK® Guide-Fourth Edition published in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. They are available for purchase in the Marketplace. Therefore, PMI will not grant permission to translate the PMBOK® Guide into these languages. However, if you wish to translate the PMI permissions form or another PMI standard into a language other than those listed, please follow the permission process.

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  9. How long does the permissions process take?

    Depending upon the complexity of the request, this process can take as little as a week or up to four weeks. To ensure your request is fulfilled in the most timely manner possible, fill out the PMI Permissions Form completely. Please notify us of any deadlines relating to your requested material.

    For additional or specific information, please e-mail Permissions.

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  10. What happens after I send PMI the completed permissions form?

    You will not receive an immediate response. Your completed form will be reviewed in the order that it is received. Following review, a representative of PMI's Legal Department and/or permissions assistant will contact you with additional questions or let you know if your request will be granted, and the amount of the permission fee if any.

    Once all terms have been established, a permissions agreement will be prepared and sent to you. When the permissions agreement has been fully executed and the fee paid, the permission will be in force under the terms of the agreement.

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  11. Can I use the PMI logo?

    Permission to use the PMI logo will only be granted to those who fill out the PMI Linking Agreement Form. The PMI logo may only be used on websites directly linking the PMI logo to the PMI home page. All other requests for use of the PMI logo will be denied.

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