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 responds to proposed revisions to U.S. federal funding regulations affecting publication and dissemination of federally funded research
In response to a Nature News request for comment on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s proposed revisions to U.S. federal funding regulations affecting publication and dissemination of federally funded research, STM CEO Caroline Sutton said: “We remain baffled by the idea that publishing research could be seen as anything other than central to…
In the media | Research Professional News: “Retractions for honest mistakes ‘should be celebrated'”
How do we strengthen trust in the scholarly record at a time of rapid technological change and increasing pressures on researchers? In an interview with Research Professional News, STM CEO Caroline Sutton discusses the need for a more constructive culture around research retractions. She urges for clearer distinctions between honest mistakes and “manipulative” behaviour. She…
STM welcomes the adoption of the Council Recommendation on a European framework for science diplomacy
On June 1, the Council of the European Union adopted a Recommendation on the first-ever European framework for science diplomacy. At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity, the EU’s commitment to strengthening international research collaboration, promoting trust in science, and fostering international cooperation that is open, trusted and secure is both timely and important. Scholarly…
STM publishes inclusive meetings guidelines for event chairs and session organisers
STM has published its Event Chair and Session Organiser Guidelines, a practical framework to help those planning and chairing STM events build more inclusive, accessible, and representative programmes from the outset. Developed by STM’s D&I Task & Finish Group, the guidelines cover the full arc of event planning — from assembling diverse planning committees and…