Copyright to Authors

Copyright Retention in Open Access Publishing

**1. Author's Copyright: IJR adheres to Creative Commons licensing, authors retain copyright over their work. This is a significant shift from traditional subscription-based publishing, where authors often transfer copyright to the journal publisher. Retaining copyright means that authors maintain the legal ownership of their work and can decide how it is used and distributed, as long as the users of the work adhere to the terms set out by the license (such as attribution in the case of CC licenses).

**2. Publishing Rights: With the retention of copyright, authors also typically retain full publishing rights. This means they can:

  • Reuse: Authors can reuse their content in various ways, such as in future works, compilations, or as part of a thesis or other academic submissions, without the need to obtain permission from the publisher.
  • Share: Authors can share their work freely, posting it on personal or institutional websites, social media, and other platforms that can help disseminate their research further.
  • Distribute: Authors can distribute copies of their work, both electronically and in print, under the terms of the applicable Creative Commons license or as otherwise permitted by law.

**3. Creative Commons Licenses: If a journal like IJR uses a Creative Commons license, such as CC BY-SA, it typically means:

  • Attribution: Any use of the work must give appropriate credit to the original author(s).
  • ShareAlike: Derivatives of the work must be shared under the same or a compatible license, which can encourage further academic collaboration and creation based on the original work.

**4. No Additional Restrictions: Authors are assured that their work will not be subjected to additional legal or technological restrictions that could hinder the lawful use and sharing of the work by others.

Practical Implications for Authors

For authors publishing with IJR or similar journals:

  • Control Over Work: Retaining copyright allows authors to have greater control over their work.
  • Broad Dissemination: By using an open access model, authors can reach a broader audience, enhancing the impact and citation of their work.
  • Flexibility in Rights Management: Authors can manage the rights to their work according to their preferences and the specifics of the license used.

Conclusion

 IJR adheres to typical open access policies using Creative Commons licenses, authors likely retain copyright and have considerable freedom regarding the publishing rights of their work. This setup is designed to maximize the accessibility and usability of scholarly research, which aligns with the broader goals of open access to foster a more informed and collaborative global research community. However, for absolute clarity and specifics, it would be advisable for authors to refer to the journal’s specific copyright and licensing guidelines as provided on their website or in submission instructions.