IP & Copyright

STM’s General Counsel and Policy & Advocacy team track a variety of intellectual property legislation, case law, and advocacy efforts to best inform STM’s members and to take action, when appropriate, to influence policymakers or other entities that share our ecosystem. STM strives to remain deeply informed and to share relevant facts and circumstances with our members so that we can properly and jointly advocate in close coordination.

Intellectual 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

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Intellectual property for EU innovation: Joint high-level statement

We are proud to join forces with leading voices from industry, academia, and think tanks in calling for transformative EU policies that empower inventors and creators. Our joint statement emphasizes the urgent need to make Europe the premier destination for innovation, with intellectual property rights serving as the cornerstone of sustainable growth. We believe that…

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STM Report: Trusted Identity in Academic Publishing

As the digital landscape evolves, the foundational trust that has long supported academic publishing faces new vulnerabilities. Rising cases of identity fraud and integrity breaches are challenging the scholarly community to protect research integrity without imposing unnecessary burdens on genuine contributors. In response, STM Solutions released Trusted Identity in Academic Publishing: The Central Role of…

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Creators and Rightsholders Call for Responsible Implementation of AI Act to Protect Innovation and Cultural Sectors

Yesterday, STM signed a joint letter alongside a broad coalition of creators and rightsholders across Europe, uniting our voices to support the responsible implementation of the AI Act. Here, we look to uphold ethical innovation that strengthens both AI and the EU’s cultural and creative sectors.  Access the letter here.

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Share your input | CUSAP Survey now live

Scholarly publishers are committed to maintaining the integrity of the published Version of Record. With the rise of alternative copies available through Institutional Repositories and other platforms, it’s crucial that repositories are promptly notified when important updates—such as retractions or corrections—are made to the official record. To address this, the International Association of STM Publishers…

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