A professor teaches a course in American cinema each summer. He offers a course packet through the university bookstore. The course packet contains a 3-year old news article about contemporary female directors. Must the professor seek permission to use the news article, if he only uses it once per year?

No, because the professor is not using the material in a way that dilutes its value.  

Explanation:

The news article is a daily publication about daily routine news about national or international. It is the publication on folded sheets. These sheets contain daily news, articles, and publications. There are different columns for all publications and advertisements. All the people love to read the newspaper. This is the best informative source that provides fresh news about the nation and the international level.  

Thus in the above context professor was teaching the articles and publications. Professor has to take permission to use the news article if the professor is using it once at a time in a year.

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