Legal Issues: Key Resources

Repositories Support Project

RSP: Copyright issues
This section of the Repositories Support website provides concise advice on the legal issues relating to deposit in institutional repositories.

Open Access Scholarly Information Sourcebook (OASIS)

Briefing Paper: Copyright & authors’ rights [PDF]
This Briefing Paper explains how copyright affects the authors of scholarly works including the transfer of rights to a publisher and how authors can manage and protect their rights.

JISC/SURF Copyright Toolbox

JISC/SURF Copyright Toolbox
Very useful resource for authors (and publishers) which focuses on the publishing agreement and includes text for a licence to publish. Produced by JISC and SURF.

Services

SHERPA/RoMEO database
The RoMEO database enables authors and repository managers to check if individual publishers permit deposit in institutional and subject repositories and if there are any conditions attached. The database can be searched by publisher or by journal title.

Queensland University of Technology

QUT copyright information
The QUT Copyright matters resource is a good example of the type of information institutions can provide for their authors on understanding and managing copyright. In particular, QUT do not permit their authors to transfer copyright to publishers. Details are provided on how QUT authors are expected to manage this process.