Author's Rights

After attending, you will:

• Understand the basics of copyright.
• Be aware of the re-use implications of transferring your copyright to a publisher.
• Begin to think about what rights are important to you and how to read an author’s agreement for particular rights.

What do we know about copyright?

“To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries”

U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8

“original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression”
1976 Copyright Act

Copyright is automatic & long:

• No need to register
• No need to display ©
• No need to publish
• Author's lifetime + 70 years

Not copyrightable:

• Works in the public domain
• Facts, ideas, data

Rights of copyright holder

• Make copies
• Create derivatives
• Display in public
• Perform in public
• Distribute copies in public

Why do you care?

Contract Review Time

• Can you send a copy to your grandma?
• Can you put a copy on Academia.edu?
• Can you use this article as a chapter in your dissertation?
• Can you use a figure from this article in another article you hope to publish next year?

What rights matter to you?

Options?

• Negotiate the contract
• Use the Tufts Model Addendum
• Seek out Open Access options or non-exclusive licenses
• Use Sherpa/Romeo to preview author's agreements

Ask around.