Copyright » Steps

Steps for authors in managing your copyright

1. Anticipate your future needs to use the materials
   • Consider how you or others will need to use your work in the future and request reasonable rights for yourself and your institution.
   • Some basic rights you should try to reserve are:
   • Use for teaching purposes – in classroom, distance education, and lectures or seminars
   • Posting to your personal website and/or to an institutional or subject repository (e.g. MINDS@UW, PubMedCentral for NIH grantees)
   • Sharing with colleagues
   • Making derivative works
2. Understand the publication agreement and the rights it gives you as an author
   • Before signing the publication agreement read the fine print.
   • Ask questions to make sure you understand what rights it gives you as an author.
   • Consult with the UW-Madison Libraries who can help you understand the implications of the rights outlined in the publication agreement.
3. Negotiate with the publisher to retain the rights you need
   • Do not be afraid to negotiate.  Publishers are interested in your work and are often used to getting such request.
   • Use the tools below, which outline your options for managing copyright and resources that may facilitate your negotiations and consult with the Libraries for assistance.
   • If the publisher says “no”, make sure you understand why and then you can weigh your options: consider negotiating fewer rights for yourself, accept the agreement as it stands or consider another publisher.  You must do what is right for you.

Need assistance managing your copyright?

• Copyright FAQ
• Contact us at copyright@library.wisc.edu
• See Copyright and UW-Madison Libraries for more information on the copyright basics, copyright and reserves, and more.