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 Trends 2030: A Voyage Into The Unknown
STM has today published STM Trends 2030: A Voyage Into The Unknown: Navigating Shifts, Propelling Discovery — its annual horizon-scan of the forces shaping scholarly communications. Developed each year by senior members of STM’s STEC Committee (link) and Future Lab — a discussion forum drawing on innovation, technology, and strategy expertise from across the membership…
STM grows its team: two new appointments
STM is pleased to welcome two new colleagues who joined the team in spring 2026. Georgiana Svensmark-Baciu joins as Senior Manager, Public Affairs EU, based in Brussels. She brings a strong background in publishing, open science, and strategic communications, most recently at Elsevier where she led the global launch of AI products for researchers and coordinated…
CAS reportedly restricts funding for high-APC open access journals
On 3 April, China’s state-owned Central Television reported on CAS’s new policy ceasing funding for approximately 30 fully open access journals with article publishing charges (APCs) above US$5,000. Limitations would apply to use of academic and national funding and would not preclude authors from self-funding to publish in these journals. It is important to note…
US grant funding continues to trickle out
As noted previously, OMB has reportedly been slow to release funding for federal agencies to issue grants. In addition, staff reductions across the government have increased delays in grant review and approval. This has led to a significant reduction in grant approvals and disbursements, as one can see for NSF and NIH based on public information available. Last…