Who owns the copyright of my publications?

While authors are developing a manuscript, copyright law protects everything, from the outline to the first rough draft to the final article. No special action is needed to secure copyright.

However, once a manuscript is accepted for publication, most authors sign a license agreement that transfers copyright ownership of the manuscript to the publisher. Authors can choose to retain ownership of their manuscript, but they must work with the publisher to retain these rights.

What should I consider when signing a copyright agreement?

When MD Anderson authors are submitting a manuscript for publication, they are required to notify the publisher know if their work was funded in whole or part by NIH or CPRIT. This disclosure will prompt the publisher to either submit the article to PubMed Central on behalf of the author or allow authors to submit a version of their manuscript after publication. Learn more about the NIH Public Access Policy.

Additionally, authors may be asked to select a copyright license. Authors can consult with a librarian on license options for their work or review the available licenses and definitions from Creative Commons.

Should I choose an open Access or subscription-based journal?

When choosing a journal, authors should review the journal's subscription model. Traditionally, subscription-based journals allow authors to submit their manuscripts for free. In exchange for free submission, authors must sign over copyright ownership to the publisher and pay the journal to view and share their own content. In addition, these publishers charge readers to access the journal content. In contrast, open access journals require authors to pay an upfront fee. Authors retain their copyright ownership over the published content, and authors and readers can access and share the journal content for free. Open access fees are typically paid for through grant funding or transformative agreements available through the library. View the chart below for more details.

If you have any questions about choosing a journal or reviewing the reputation of a journal, review the Education Hub or contact the library.