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 (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.
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…
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.
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…
We’re thrilled to invite you to join us this October for the STM Annual Conference in Frankfurt: a night of connection over dinner, followed by a full day of ideation, collaboration and connection—right before the Frankfurt Book Fair. This year, we’ve tailored a program that delves into the theme: Advancing Trusted Research in the AI…