Digital reuse rights in a fast-changing publishing environment: Content users' demands and licensing options for publishers

Abstract

Content users in businesses, academic institutions, government agencies and other sectors need digital reuse rights to be able to lawfully share copyrighted materials with others. Advances in licensing are creating new opportunities for publishers and other rightsholders to address current and future needs of content users by streamlining, simplifying and integrating licensing solutions within the user's workflow. Options for publishers to meet content users' needs include the use of technology to automate permission request processes. In addition, publishers can also use the services of collective licensing organizations, which aggregate rights from many different rightsholders. One specific collective licensing option is repertory licenses that offer a solution for users at academic, corporate or government organizations who reuse and share portions of thousands of works on a regular basis.