Working papers and unpublished manuscripts

"If my paper hasn't been published yet, I can post it online, right?"

If you plan to publish your paper in the future, you need to be aware of journals' policies about posting papers on a Web site. Most journals will consider a paper that has been posted online as part of a working papers series or on the author's Web site, but there are some exceptions that consider such a paper to have been previously published. If you are unsure, check the journal's editorial policies (PRI Associates and Affiliates may contact the Information Core Director for assistance).

Published papers: sharing with colleagues

"I wrote the paper, so I can post it on my Web site, right?"

When you submitted your paper to a journal, you probably signed over the copyright to the journal's publisher. Journals are increasingly allowing authors to post their own final versions of published papers on their own or their employer's Web site, but you should check the agreement that you signed with the journal. Even if you are allowed to post your paper, there may be restrictions or requirements, such as a link to the final published version.

Published papers: sharing with students

"If I put my paper on a course Web site for my students, that's fair use, right?"

Fair use is determined by a number of factors, and not all educational or nonprofit uses fall under fair use. The safest thing to do is to use the University Libraries Course Reserves Services. Library staff will request any required copyright permissions for you.

Policies and laws

Penn State's Computer and Network Security policy addresses copyright and intellectual property.

The Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center collects copyright resources, including fair use guidelines, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and the TEACH Act.

The TEACH Act applies to online learning. It revised and expanded parts of US Copyright Law governing the conditions under which faculty may use copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder.