This Report analyses the copyright law framework needed to ensure open access to outputs of the Australian academic and research sector such as datasets, articles and theses. It is written in the context of an increasing recognition, in Australia and internationally, that access to knowledge is a key driver of social, cultural and economic development and that publicly funded research should be openly accessible. With the objective of enabling access to knowledge, this Report proposes the development of clear protocols for copyright management (designed as practical and effective tools) for implementation in the Australian academic and research sector....
More specifically, this Report provides an overview of the principles of copyright law, the concept of open access to knowledge, the recently developed open content models of copyright licensing and proposes a framework for enhancing the management of copyright interests in research and academic output (including electronic theses and dissertations (ETD)). The Report describes a forward work program which, upon implementation, will provide the platform for the development of systems and practices designed to effectively promote open access to knowledge within the Australian academic and research sector.
The Report calls upon Australian research and funding institutions to consider their commitment to open access and articulate this in clear polices and copyright management frameworks....
The forward work plan will see the OAK Law Project:
Develop template guidelines for open access policies that can be considered for adoption within university and research institutions
Develop a detailed list (OAK List) of the attitudes of publishers relating to open access as evidenced in the terms of publishers’ agreements. The OAK List aims to be interoperable with the UK based SHERPA List
Survey researchers about their understanding of, attitudes towards and experience with publishing agreements
Develop or recommend model publishing agreements and addenda that facilitate open access
Develop or recommend model agreements that can assist the copyright management of open access repositories
Survey the existing policies of funding institutions towards open access and develop model policies based on international developments
Provide more support to ETD Repositories through developing guides for students about self managing copyright issues and assisting the repositories in terms of copyright management protocols and licences
Posted by
Peter Suber at 9/28/2006 11:41:00 PM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
