STM publisher Springer, Germany, has registered as a participating publisher in the Shared E-Resource Understanding (SERU). SERU is a set of terms that protects both the publisher and user of online content. By registering for SERU, Springer is endorsing a common description of the responsibilities of the publisher and user of online content.
SERU is a high level standards project of the National Information Standards Organization (NISO), which is affiliated with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The current process of customer-by-customer, bilaterally negotiated formal legal contracts increases the cost of sales for both libraries and publishers and delays access for users at subscribing institutions. Springer's SERU participation will give Springer sales staff the necessary flexibility to work with clients for whom large legal documents are an impediment or delaying factor in making purchases.
When a library client also registers for SERU, it is then possible to mutually agree that a purchase may proceed using a common purchase order and invoice, with other terms governed by the SERU document. No license is signed when SERU is used. The client organisation can register once and then purchase online materials from Springer without the need for a license or further legal review. The agreement takes effect when both parties are registered and mutually agree that the terms are acceptable.
SERU will be used for all Springer online reference works. Additionally, it can also be used for all other Springer online publications where both the client and Springer agree that a bilateral license is not necessary. This includes online journals, archives, books, book series, protocols and other online products that may be developed. Springer is joining a group of publishers that endorses this recommended set of practices.
Earlier this month, the global publisher announced a partnership with the community-governed archive cooperative Controlled Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe (CLOCKSS) to preserve Springer content in the CLOCKSS global archive. The CLOCKSS archive allows research libraries and scholarly publishers, who launched CLOCKSS as a pilot programme, to preserve and store its electronic content. Springer publishes over 1,700 journals and more than 5,500 new books a year, as well as the largest STM eBook collection worldwide.
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