Reply:
I have also been compiling a specialized corpus of materials from the web
written by academics. I'm using texts from 14 different journals that are
on-line, and the responses to my requests for permission included the
following:
1). Surprise that I would even ask. As far as some journal
publishers/editors are concerned, if the material is for research use and
WILL NOT BE RE-PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED TO OTHERS, then there is no need to
ask permission.
2). Permission granted via e-mail for MY use of the material. No special
permission form.
3). Official permission granted via FAX on a signed and dated permission
form from the journal's permissions department for MY USE of the materials
in question.
4). Permission granted on the condition that I not share my corpus with
anyone, and that I ERASE/DESTROY that portion of it when my analysis is
complete.
Since I am dealing with on-line sources, asking permission via e-mail wasn't
much hassle, and no-one said "no" to my request.
It seems to me that a lot depends on what you plan to do with the corpus in
the long run. If you plan to copy it, circulate it, and make it freely
available to others, then it might make sense to get legal advice as well as
something in writing from the copyright holders.
Dave Carlson
JAPAN