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
STM publishes new discussion document on responsible use of research content in generative AI
STM has published “Toward Responsible Use of Research Content in Generative AI,” a discussion document putting forward considerations for the responsible use of research content in generative AI tools, and inviting the broader research and GenAI development community to engage. The document focuses on what makes research content and research communication distinct from other types…
EU Parliament adopts position on copyright and AI
On 10 March, the European Parliament adopted its position on AI and copyright in plenary session. No further amendments were tabled following the committee vote, and the final report reflects the version previously available. The text stops short of recommending a reopening of the 2019 EU Copyright Directive, but acknowledges its ambiguous application in the AI…
IFRRO releases study on publishing industry in Asia-Pacific
IFRRO has published a comparative regional analysis of publishing markets across Asia-Pacific, covering market segmentation, revenue and growth trends, digital transformation, copyright and open access frameworks, and the evolving impact of artificial intelligence. An extended version — a 200+ page document featuring detailed analysis of 13 focus countries — will also be made available. Read…
UK Publishers Association publishes comprehensive account of AI content licensing
The Publishers Association has released a detailed report on how book and journal publishers license content for AI use — finding that the AI licensing market is established and growing, with high-quality publisher content increasingly in demand to power AI innovation and scientific discovery. Key findings include: The AI licensing market has firm foundations, with…