The copyright owner is usually the creator (author) or the publisher of the work. However, creators can assign copyright to another party, for example a publisher.
The best way to identify the copyright owner is to look for the copyright symbol © and a name and date. If this is not apparent then contact the relevant producer, publisher, distributor, webmaster, etc. who should be in a position to identify the copyright owner.
There is no prescribed form of words for requesting copyright permission from a copyright owner. The request should be in writing (email is fine) and should set out:
Make sure that you keep any written reply you receive from the creator.
EXAMPLE:
Dear (name) / To whom it may concern
I write on behalf of the Digital Marketing Team at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
ECU understands that you are the owner of copyright in the work (name of work). ECU would like to use the work for marketing and promotional activities (specifically, in its 20XX student prospectuses) and seeks your express written permission for this proposed use.
Could you please confirm that you are the owner and grant this permission by reply email? I would be pleased to answer any questions you might have about the proposed use.
Yours sincerely,
Jane Doe
Digital Marketing Team
Edith Cowan University
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 XXXX