[GOAL] Re: Japan's National OA Mandate for ETDs.

[Heather Morrison]

Two comments / scenarios which illustrate how CC-BY for theses would disadvantage many scholars:

1.	Many scholars work in disciplines where monographs are the gold standard for obtaining tenure and promotion, and the revised thesis is typically the scholar's first monograph. In this scenario:

a) If the scholar grants blanket rights to create derivatives to any third party, then someone else could publish the monograph before the scholar has a chance to do so themselves. This is likely to make it more difficult for the scholar to publish their own work (not new information by the time of publication), hence decreases their chances of obtaining tenure.

b) If the scholar grants blanket commerical rights to publish to any third party it is likely to be more difficult to find a publisher, as the publisher may be in a position of competing with another publisher who has the rights to the same content.

2.	Some theses lend themselves well to becoming trade books. Some have the potential to become quite popular, perhaps even best-sellers. While this is rare, this is a common dream for scholars. If the scholar retains commercial rights, then the royalties from a popular work will benefit the scholar. Today, many scholars do not go on to tenure track positions, in which case any source of monies will be welcomed, and often needed by scholars and their families. If a third party sees potential in turning a thesis into a popular book, they can contact the scholar to enter into a suitable contract.

best,

Dr. Heather Morrison
Freedom for scholarship in the internet age
http://summit.sfu.ca/item/12537

On 2013-04-02, at 11:34 AM, Hans Pfeiffenberger wrote:

> 
> Am 02.04.13 16:15, schrieb Heather Morrison:
>> One reason is that it is common ... for students to go on to  
>> revise and submit either portions of a thesis or the entire thesis for  
>> re-publication as articles or books. ... For  
>> this reason, it will generally be in the best interest of the student  
>> 
>> to reserve the right to create derivatives and commercial use.
> which of course they have and do not need to expressly "reserve" when 
> they issue their work under CC-BY.
> 
> It is another discussion whether they need the *exclusive* rights to do so. 
> 
> a) Their and others' academic ability to cut and paste (or whichever 
> way to create derivatives) or earn reputation from derivatives made by 
> others, is governed more by good research/academic practises than 
> by *any* license.
> 
> b) whether they need to *sign over exclusive* commercial rights (or
> to create derivative) is an issue still under discussion, pending real evidence. 
> Even if their preferred publisher pretends he needs these exclusive rights,
> your poor (humanities ?) scholar would give away once and for all those 
> very rights you say (s)he needs.
> 
> best,
> 
> Hans
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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