5 Open Licensing

Why pursue open licensing for preprints? According to Creative Commons, “openly licensing preprints enables researchers and readers to benefit from rapid dissemination, rigorous review, and equitable contribution to scientific knowledge that doesn’t require paid access to exclusive research journals.” Giving a preprint an open license can increase research visibility and promote open science. Check out these guides from Creative Commons for more information:

How the CC BY license for preprints impacts journal publication: A guide for researchers

How the CC BY license for preprints impacts generative AI training: A guide for researchers

Why use the CC BY license for preprints? A guide for researchers

For a quick introduction on preprints and open licensing, consult this graphic from ASAPbio:

When working with researchers, librarians should be aware that some funding bodies may require the use of a specific license. Be sure to read any grant guidelines that specify what license to use. Try out the Jisc Open Policy Finder to stay informed!  ASAPbio also has a great FAQ on licensing and authors’ rights here.