Copyright in the digital age

This presentation offers an overview of copyright in the context of scientific research, highlighting its implications for access, reuse, and the dissemination of publicly funded knowledge. It examines the economic and legal lifecycle of a scholarly publication, the role of publishing agreements, and the impact of copyright transfer on authors’ rights. The talk reviews recent European initiatives—including Horizon Europe mandates, the EU study on copyright, and the 2023 Council Recommendations—aimed at strengthening rights retention and enabling immediate open access. Special attention is given to Creative Commons licensing, and emerging tools such as Rights Retention Strategies and Secondary Publication Rights. The presentation concludes with practical guidance for researchers on managing their rights, navigating publisher policies, and supporting a more equitable and sustainable scholarly communication ecosystem.