JOINIntellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.
IP is protected in law by patent, copyright, and trademark law. These laws enable people to earn recognition and/or financial benefit from what they invent or create.
The IP system aims to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation can flourish by striking a balance between the interests of creators and the public.
Copyright law
Copyright law (sometimes referred to as authors’ rights in continental legal regimes) is a legal discipline that describes the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works.
Works covered by copyright range from books, journals, articles, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, maps, and technical drawings. The selection and arrangement of data may also be eligible for copyright protection.
Copyright law is the mechanism through which publishing houses are able to manage the content they own and license, and the bundle of rights can be divvied to achieve an appropriate balance of protection (e.g., so that publishers can recover their investment), openness (e.g., for public access), and responsible stewardship of the scientific record (e.g., by enabling right holders to pursue legal remedies for pirated and compromised content.
The Latest from STM
VIEW ALL NEWSSTM submits comments on upcoming ERA Act
The European Commission is planning an European Research Area (ERA) Act for Q3 2026, with the aim of further strengthening the European internal market for research and facilitating the free circulation of researchers and knowledge across EU countries. Measures not favourable for publishers (including Green OA measures such as the Secondary Publication Right) nor conducive…
EU Parliament resumes negotiations on AI & copyright
The EU Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee is resuming discussions on its position on AI and copyright. Whilst not being a legislative instrument, this is quite important as it will provide political indications to the EU Commission. A draft was presented over the summer by MEP Axel Voss to get the conversation started. STM reached out…
AI Act implementation package
Three key documents were released over the summer for the implementation of the EU AI Act’s rules for providers of general-purpose AI models: The Code of Practice outlines voluntary measures regarding transparency, copyright and safety and security. These guidelines clarify the scope of the definition and obligations of providers. The standardised template provides a summary…
STM submits comment on NIH’s proposal to cap publisher fees
Along with many publishers and others in the research community, STM submitted a comment to NIH [insert link — create a dummy and will provide document on 15 Sept] in response to their “Request for Information on Maximizing Research Funds by Limiting Allowable Publishing Costs” In addition to the submission, STM has and will continue…