Introduction

The Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) is a powerful tool for authors to ensure they retain sufficient rights to their work. It allows them to make it available in open access without needing to pay article processing charges (APCs).

This strategy is crucial for researchers funded by organizations that require immediate open access to their publications.

What is the Rights Retention Strategy?

The RRS, launched by cOAlition S, enables authors to retain the rights to their manuscripts, specifically the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM), and deposit it in a repository immediately upon publication.

This ensures compliance with funder mandates that require open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license without embargo.

Key points for authors

  • Funder requirements
    Many funders, including those part of cOAlition S, like NWO, the Wellcome Trust, and UKRI, require immediate open access to research articles. The RRS helps authors meet these requirements by retaining the right to share their work openly.
  • Publisher agreements
    Authors should inform publishers when submitting a manuscript that they intend to use the RRS. This involves including a statement in the submission cover letter asserting their rights and complying with funder mandates.
  • Open Access options
    Authors can use the RRS to publish in subscription journals while still making their work open access. This is particularly useful when no Read & Publish agreements are available.
  • Copyright and licensing
    By applying a CC BY license to the AAM at submission, authors ensure that this license takes precedence over any later publisher agreements, allowing for immediate open access sharing.

Using the RRS with journals outside our publisher deals

  • Free Open Access Publishing
    While we have agreements with several publishers to publish open access with discounted APCs, the RRS provides an additional pathway for authors to share their work open access when publishing in journals outside these deals.
  • Support and Guidance
    Researchers can seek support from our library and research support services to navigate the RRS and ensure compliance with funder mandates.

How to implement the RRS

  1. Inform the publisher
    Include a statement in your submission cover letter indicating your intention to use the RRS and comply with funder mandates.
  2. Apply a CC BY license
    Declare a CC BY license for the AAM at submission to ensure it takes precedence over any publisher agreements.
  3. Deposit in a Repository
    Immediately deposit the AAM in our open-access repository upon publication.

Examples of RRS submission letters

The following templates are based on resources provided by cOAlition S and can be adapted to fit specific needs and journal requirements.

Pre-submission letter template

Subject: Notification of Rights Retention Strategy for Submission

Dear [Journal Editor’s Name],

I am writing to inform you that I intend to submit my manuscript, titled [Manuscript Title], to [Journal Name]. As part of my funder’s requirements, I will use the Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) to ensure compliance with open access mandates.

This means I will retain the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) rights and deposit it in a repository under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license immediately upon publication. Please note that this license will apply to the AAM, and I will not transfer exclusive rights to the publisher that would prevent this.

I would appreciate it if you could confirm whether your journal can accommodate this requirement.

I appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Submission cover letter template

Subject: Submission of Manuscript with Rights Retention Strategy

Dear [Journal Editor’s Name],

I am submitting my manuscript, titled [Manuscript Title], to [Journal Name]. As required by my funder, I am using the Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) to ensure that the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) can be made available in a repository under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license immediately upon publication.

Please note that I will retain sufficient rights to the AAM to comply with this requirement. I have attached a statement to this effect to the manuscript.

Thank you for considering my submission.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Statement to include in the manuscript

“This manuscript is submitted under the Rights Retention Strategy (RRS) to comply with funder mandates. The Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) will be made available in a repository under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license immediately upon publication.”

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