Publication always involves the exercise of copyrights. Whether you are vetting potential publishers for a new work or reviewing the terms under which you previously published a work, it is important to understand the copyright terms. Understanding and protecting your copyrights is especially important to preserve your right to self-archive and distribute your work in an open-access repository, like Digital Commons@Georgia Southern, or in your SelectedWorks profile.
Use the library's Copyright Transfer Agreement Checklist, available below, to evaluate any publisher's copyright transfer agreement (CTA), either before or after you publish. If you have any questions about how to interpret a CTA or use the checklist, contact the Digital Commons Team.
General Rights
Does the CTA protect the following general rights? Note any restrictions.
___ Right to be cited as the author
This is a basic right that should be in all contracts. If not explicit, ask the publisher.
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Right to transmit, print, and share copies with colleagues
Some sharing is common, but restrictions can vary greatly.
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Right to reuse in other publications
Look for any restrictions on the amount that can be reused.
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Right to use in teaching or training
Can you use your work for course packs, e-reserves, presentations at conferences, or distance learning?
Restrictions: _______________________
Self-Archiving Rights
Does the CTA protect your right to self-archive and distribute a copy of your work via a personal website or an open-access institutional repository, such as Digital Commons@Georgia Southern? Such rights typically are granted based on the version of the work (i.e., pre-prints, post-prints, and published versions).
Pre-Prints
Self-archiving rights often granted; less desirable, but better than nothing.
___ Right to self-archive
Are you granted any right to self-archive a pre-print, regardless of other restrictions?
___ Platform Restrictions
Does the publisher place any restrictions on the website or platform on which you can self-archive?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Embargo Restrictions
Does the publisher specify how many months after publication you must delay self-archiving?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Other Restrictions or Requirements
Does the publisher place any other restrictions on self-archiving pre-prints?
Restrictions: _______________________
Post-Prints
Self-archiving rights are frequently granted following an embargo.
___ Right to self-archive
Are you granted any right to self-archive a pre-print, regardless of other restrictions?
___ Platform Restrictions
Does the publisher place any restrictions on the website or platform on which you can self-archive?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Embargo Restrictions
Does the publisher specify how many months after publication you must delay self-archiving?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Other Restrictions or Requirements
Does the publisher place any other restrictions on self-archiving pre-prints?
Restrictions: _______________________
Published Version
Self-archiving rights are rarely granted, but this is the best-case scenario.
___ Right to self-archive
Are you granted any right to self-archive a pre-print, regardless of other restrictions?
___ Platform Restrictions
Does the publisher place any restrictions on the website or platform on which you can self-archive?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Embargo Restrictions
Does the publisher specify how many months after publication you must delay self-archiving?
Restrictions: _______________________
___ Other Restrictions or Requirements
Does the publisher place any other restrictions on self-archiving pre-prints?
Restrictions: _______________________
If the publisher retains all rights, or so many right that it will inhibit your ability to teach, research, or create new knowledge, consider the following options:
Checklist adapted from Truesdell, C. (2012). Checklist for Reviewing Publisher Copyright Agreements.
For help, contact the Digital Commons Team at (912) 478-4056 or digitalcommons@georgiasouthern.edu. A member of the Digital Commons Team will contact you as soon as possible during regular business hours.