Copyright in
Medical Communications

CCC reached out to Kathryn Edwards, Editorial Specialist Lead, at UK-based Ashfield Health, for her perspective on this question.

My MedComms team and I carry the onus of managing and monitoring compliance with license terms and conditions, ensuring that usage remains within scope of the license throughout the lifecycle of the material.

Where I’ve seen MedComms professionals run into challenges is typically around execution rather than intent. Common pitfalls include assuming permissions automatically extend to new formats or markets without rechecking, not escalating discrepancies between agreed usage and licensed terms, or losing visibility of key details such as expiry dates and reuse limitations over time. I find it helpful to distill and communicate the license terms into practical “dos and don’ts” for teams working with the content to make sure everyone is on the same page and understands how to remain in compliance when reusing the material.

20 May 2026

Aaron Reid, Senior Product Manager at CCC, addresses this question below. 

CCC Marketplace allows you to group multiple permissions requests in a project using the Project Builder functionality. Creating a project in CCC Marketplace makes it easier to request and manage multiple permissions and costs associated with your client’s project and track the status of each request. On the CCC Marketplace home page, simply search for the content you want to reuse and enter the details about how you want to reuse the copyrighted content. When completing details about your “new work,” you will have the option to create a project. Provide the project name, client/sponsor for that project and enter the additional details about new work/project. When all new work details are complete, you will simply clink the “Add to Project” button. You will then be able to add more items to your project cart without having to reenter the new work details. Please note that you will need to register an account before making a purchase. Visit the CCC Marketplace Resource Center to learn more about creating and managing projects.

13 May 2026

CCC reached out to Kathryn Edwards, Editorial Specialist Lead, at UK-based Ashfield Health, for her perspective on this question.

Our best practice approach is to start by aligning closely with the client on how content will be used before any permissions are sought. Clearly define parameters such as format, channels, geography, audience, as well as agreeing to specific stipulations (e.g., adaptation rights or restrictions on reuse). We then secure licenses to reflect those agreed terms. If the license comes back with conditions that sit outside or go beyond what was initially agreed, we flag this to the client immediately so there is full transparency and an opportunity to course-correct before materials are deployed.

 In terms of sharing licenses, I find it’s not always necessary, or practical, to provide every individual license document. Instead, our focus is on translating the key terms into clear, usable guidance for the client and wider team. That said, transparency remains essential and our clients can always access the full license documentation if they want or need to review it.  Ultimately, strong license management is about building it into your workflow: agreeing to reuse parameters upfront, validating licenses against those parameters, maintaining clear records, and proactively guiding clients on compliant use. Taking ownership in this way not only reduces risk but also reinforces trust as clients can be confident that permissions are being managed rigorously and transparently on their behalf.

6 May 2026