RESEARCH DATA AND COPYRIGHT

Open science is built on the principle of free access to scientific publications and data. This promotes faster dissemination of knowledge, encourages collaboration among researchers, increases the visibility and impact of scientific work, and often results in higher citation rates. Because open science involves the open publication and sharing of works that are protected by copyright, it naturally raises a number of copyright-related questions. These issues are addressed in this category.

Copyright contracts are agreements in which the essential element is the transfer of copyright. Through such a contract, the author typically transfers certain economic rights to another party in exchange for remuneration, the amount and terms of which are determined by mutual agreement.

© 2025 The University of Maribor Library. The website was created within the framework of the Action Plan for Open Science (measure 6.2.). CC BY.

When creating various works and assignments, preparing presentations, developing online contents, or similar activities, we often need to use digital content that is subject to copyright protection of someone else. A practical solution is to use content released under Creative Commons licenses, which allows authors and users of copyrighted works to clearly and unambiguously specify the conditions under which their works may be used.