EDGAR CAYCE FOUNDATION - Multi-Media Archives
Copyright Permission Guidelines
Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

What Is the Edgar Foundation?
What Does Edgar Cayce Foundation Do?

• The Edgar Cayce readings themselves and various compilations of extracts from the readings, including microfilm and electronic copies of the readings.
• Related correspondence and records, such as original stenographer notebooks, appointment books, research studies and reports on the readings, indexes and inventories, reports of preservation activities, photographs, sound and video recordings, etc.
• Correspondence, business papers, and files of Hugh Lynn Cayce, Gladys Davis Turner, and other early staff members.
• Lectures and other writings by Edgar Cayce, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Gladys Davis Turner, and other staff members and friends who have donated their records to the Foundation.
• Other Edgar Cayce and Cayce Family papers, records, and memorabilia.
• Miscellaneous historical documents and materials that have been given to or purchased by the Foundation, including unpublished book manuscripts.
• Author contracts and archival copies of most books and other materials published by A.R.E. Press and the Edgar Cayce Foundation.
• Official historical and business records for the A.R.E., E.C.F., and Atlantic University.

• Responding to requests from members, authors, and other researchers about information that may be available in the archives.
• Making minor corrections to the master electronic file of the Cayce readings as they are identified by users of the available versions (e.g., the current CD-ROMs). Many of these errors were made when readings were retyped years ago.
• Reviewing requests from authors, videographers, film producers, and publishers for using quotations from the readings in new material, and granting appropriate permission within current guidelines (see Permission Policy Guidelines). Such new products may be subsequently reviewed to insure accuracy of quotation and permission notice and appropriateness of context.
• Reviewing requests from the same categories of individuals for use of historical photographs, sound and video recordings in the archives, and other historical artifacts, symbols, and images; locating and providing appropriate copies or temporary loans of requested material; reviewing for appropriateness of use and permission notice.
• Producing Research Bulletins and other reports and compilations based on the Cayce information and the historical records. For example:
• A series of Medical Research Bulletins for reference by physicians and other health care professionals on specific conditions treated on the basis of Cayce readings information.
• Special Research Bulletins reporting analyses of unique information in large numbers of readings, e.g., the life readings for children, and the readings describing past lives during the Crusades.
• Reports of special studies such as attempting to verify details of past life readings; historical summary of the “provenance” of the Cayce readings themselves over the past 100 years; etc.
• Developing new files and databases for increased effectiveness in locating historical information about significant people, events, activities, etc.

• Collecting oral histories and other background information from people who had readings and their families or had other close connections to the Cayce work.
• Undertaking studies to verify past life information or other historical details given in the readings.
• Undertaking special studies of unique readings-based products or information, such as: the life seals and aura charts; the medical treatment formulas, ingredients, and special equipment; archaeological and historical sites.

Permission Policy Guidelines

The Edgar Cayce readings are copyrighted by the Edgar Cayce Foundation. The first notice of copyright for the readings was in 1945, although they were not “published” at that time. A series of copyrights were registered for periodic published excerpts over the next several years. The entire readings were first registered for copyright with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress in 1971. Material was added and previous material modified for various electronic (CD-ROM) versions of the readings (including background, reports, and indexes) several times from 1993 through 2005. The new or modified material in these versions have been registered. In 2005, the basic copyright notice in a document quoting from the readings is:

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993-2005 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation

Permission to Use Quotations without Written Request : Writers and others wishing to quote from the Cayce readings in books or other published literary forms may do so without written E.C.F. permission if the total word count of all cited Cayce quotations is no more than 500 words. The quotation itself must be presented according to the following conditions:

• The material quoted should consist mostly of Cayce’s original words of the reading (as provided on one of the CD-ROMs of the readings or in the member section of the A.R.E. website).
• If original words or phrases are removed (without significantly changing the intended meaning), the omission must be shown by an ellipsis (e.g., . . .).
• If an original word or phrase is replaced or supplemented by another to clarify its meaning, the replacement or supplementary word or phrase must be enclosed in square brackets: [ ].
• The reading number must be identified in its two parts: e.g., 254-5, identified as “Edgar Cayce Reading 254-5.”
• In the front pages of the book or elsewhere in the text where the reading is quoted, the following copyright notice should appear:

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993-2007
by the Edgar Cayce Foundation
All Rights Reserved

Although not required, if the author will send a brief courtesy letter or e-mail to the Foundation with the name of the book or other published product quoting from the readings, this record will be maintained in the Foundation archives.

Permission for More Extensive Use of Quotations Through Written Request: All intended use of readings quotations that will consist of more than 500 words throughout the entire literary product must be approved in writing by the Edgar Cayce Foundation. The following conditions are required:

1,2,3,4. Conditions 1 through 4 above should be met for all quotations used.

• A written request must be submitted to:

  Edgar Cayce Foundation
  Attention: Rights and Permissions
  215 67th Street
  Virginia Beach, VA 23451-2061

The request should include the following information:

• Details about the anticipated final product in which the quotes will be included: Form of publication (e.g., book, article, report, greeting card, web page, etc.), title, author(s), length of the work (e.g., approximate word count), publisher or other form of distribution, planned number of copies (in first production or printing), and any other information that may assist in defining the intended use and audience.
• A list of all Cayce reading quotations as they will be stated in the text with an approximate word count. This requirement may be effectively met by sending the Foundation a copy of all manuscript pages that include Cayce quotes, including the lead-in and follow-on text that show the context in which the quotations are presented. If this is not possible, then a list of all the quotations should be submitted in the exact form in which they will appear in the text.
• If the total word count of Cayce quotations is anticipated to be greater than thirty per cent (30%) of the total word count of the final product, there must be more extended discussion between the author and the staff of the Foundation. Seldom is permission given for use of the readings in a product so highly dependent on Cayce quotations, other than for books or other special materials produced by A.R.E. Press. Permission may not be granted or, if it is, a fee may be required. A letter to E.C.F. explaining the extensive use will begin the dialogue and the considerations necessary before a decision can be made.
• Initial inquiries by e-mail are recommended. Text material may be submitted as attachments to e-mail.
• A signed letter of permission for use of the quotations will usually be sent to the author via regular mail after all conditions have been met. A copy of this letter will be retained in the E.C.F. files on permissions and rights.
• In the front pages of a proposed book (often on the reverse of the title page), the following copyright notice should appear:

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993-2007 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation
Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved

If for some reason, such a copyright notice is not to be included, a letter to E.C.F. should include an explanation of the exception and where the copyright information will be displayed. Failure to include such a notice may lead to withholding or withdrawal of Foundation permission.

Permission to Use Quotations in Graphic or Artistic Products, in Films and Videos, on Websites, etc: For permission to use Edgar Cayce quotations in products or forms other than print form (e.g., books and articles), write a letter to the Rights and Permissions Office of the Foundation, describing and illustrating the intended use of quotations. If possible, include a photo of an example of the proposed use or a mockup of an example. Recent requests include: excerpts on greeting cards; excerpts incorporated into an artistic product such as a painting, a photograph, or a piece of sculpture; or quotations in a documentary film.