As of 1 November, the publisher Acta Universitatis
Stockholmiensis (AUS) is offering its authors a new publishing
contract.
The new contract clarifies the publisher's obligations and the
authors' rights. For example, it states that authors always have
the right to go to a different publisher or rewrite their Acta
publication if they so desire."We have no need to lock our authors
into unfavourable contracts; we rather encourage distribution or
revision", says Thomas Neidenmark, chair of Acta's editorial
committee. "AUS's right to publish the work cannot be waived, but
on the other hand, the author has complete freedom to do whatever
he or she wants with it after publication."
Looking at Creative Commons licenses
AUS has also started looking at so-called Creative Commons
licenses. These licenses are are a type of standardised terms and
conditions which could facilitate and increase the digital
distribution of the publisher's publications.
"Such licenses are becoming increasingly common in the research
community", says Thomas Neidenmark. "But if we introduce Creative
Commons it will obviously be on a voluntary basis. Even if we as a
publisher can see the great benefits, the researchers have to want
it themselves."
About 30 publications this year
There will be about 30 publications this year - a number that
Thomas Neidenmark hopes to surpass next year.
"We feel that we have a renewed and deeper contact with the series
editors, and I think they like our commitment to the development of
AUS. We are simply looking forward to an even better 2013."
Almost exactly one year has passed since the Stockholm
University Library drew up new guidelines for AUS. Throughout the
year, the working practices have been restructured, streamlined and
opened up to new opportunities for distribution and impact. All
publications are now published in full text in DiVA and printed on
demand at cost price. The books can be bought in the library's own
online shop, or through other online booksellers.
Text: Emi-Simone Zawall
Facts about Creative Commons
In simple terms, Creative Commons licenses define the rights of
others to use an original work, as opposed to 'copyright', which
defines the author's rights and protection of the work. Creative
Commons thus makes it possible for creators who want to share their
work to do so in full or in part. The creator chooses a license
based on the desired permissions and restrictions for the work,
after which he or she gets a license agreement that fits these
preferences. The creator then inserts a mark along with a brief
license text that specifies which license applies to the work.
The creator can never waive the moral right, i.e., the right to
be recognised as the creator of the work. More information on
various licenses and how the CC licenses work is available here: www.creativecommons.se.