SPARC Europe has been selected to deliver the first project sponsored under the Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21) programme. KR21 seeks to strengthen access to knowledge through libraries and archives. It is focused on bringing about changes in legislation and practice across Europe that will strengthen rights to knowledge.
This is aligned with the SPARC Europe strategy. SPARC Europe will lead research to develop a stronger understanding of rights retention and open licensing policies in Europe. The overarching ambition is to reform the way institutions and authors manage their publishing rights to enable Open Access and access to knowledge for all. Furthermore, the intent is to simplify the rights retention procedures, encourage the adoption of open licences, and better empower authors. This would help their fellow researchers, teachers, and students benefit from the research they share.
By evaluating the copyright and open licensing policies developed and implemented by institutions, funders, and publishers, with a particular focus on how to support author needs. SPARC Europe will set a baseline against which to monitor future progress and share good practices to encourage positive action in this area.
The review will ultimately produce an action plan and practical materials to ensure that institutions and authors retain their publication rights. At the same time, strengthen and update OA publishing policy, and accelerate the adoption of open licensing through awareness-raising and spreading good practices.
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