An author initially owns the copyright on what they write unless it's created under a work-for-hire agreement.  However, publishers often ask authors to transfer the copyright in order to get published.  This can lead to restrictions in how an author can use their own writing.  

This page will introduce resources to increase awareness of author's rights and what an author can do to protect their ability to use their own work. 

Copyright owners:

• Hold the right to decide how to distribute the work and whether or not they will charge.
• Can modify their work
• Can publicly perform their work

Considerations for authors:

Publishers may ask you to transfer part of your copyright to them to be published in their journals.  Pay attention to what they are asking you to give up.

• Will you be able to allow your institution to publish your work in their repository? 
• Will you be able to upload your article to a digital archive or on social academic sites like ResearchGate?
• Will you be able to distribute your article to your students in a class? 

Negotiate with publishers to retain the right to use your article/research the way you anticipate needing to use it. Allocation of copyright does not need to be all or nothing.