Open Access Books: Rights, Ownership and Control

Explore the world of open access books and get the lowdown on who really owns the rights and controls the content.

Publishing books open access (OA) is a less well established route for authors than OA journal articles, but they are gaining traction among academics and there are plans to include an open access monograph requirement in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) post-2029. Lots of different financial models have emerged for OA book publishing, but the Book Processing Charge (BPC) remains dominant for more traditional university presses. Join us for a thought-provoking panel exploring the complexities of licensing, rights, and control in open access publishing. The panel will examine the nuances of Creative Commons licences and explore the tension between open licences and publishing contracts, and will discuss what an open access book contract should actually offer - just the ability to read and share, or the full set of rights you are entitled to as copyright holder under an open access licence?

Our experts will share practical strategies for authors to retain rights through contractual clauses and explain how libraries can advocate for fair agreements, raise awareness of licensing implications, and empower researchers to maintain control over their work. This session is essential for anyone navigating the open-access landscape, and seeking real-world examples and actionable guidance on ownership, responsibility, and the future of open knowledge.

The session will be chaired by Dr Siva Thambisetty, LSE Law School, and feature the following speakers:

• Professor Lindsay Farmer, Professor of Law, University of Glasgow and Vice President (Publications), The British Academy
• Lucy Barnes, Senior Editor and Outreach Coordinator, Open Book Publishers
• Professor Aileen Fyfe, Professor of Modern History, University of St Andrews