A core principle of open science is facilitating the iterative cycle of science, where we have the freedom to build on what came before. In the words of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, open science should make “scientific knowledge openly available, accessible and reusable for everyone…” Unfortunately, the legal environment we live in (which is generally true for most of the world) aggressively restricts the flow of knowledge under an “all rights reserved” assumption. In other words, by default, any form of knowledge or creative work cannot be shared or reused. These legal restrictions sometimes creep up in surprisingly trivial or mundane situations.

This section will start with a brief primer on this restrictive legal environment. Then, we will introduce simple ways to ensure your works will be shareable and easily accessible by others.

Disclaimer: This section will introduce some general legal concepts. However, no content or statement in this course, explicit or implied, should be construed as professional legal advice. When in doubt, please consult a legal professional appropriate for your jurisdiction.

Last modified: Wednesday, 20 October 2021, 3:31 PM