Contributor Agreement
nounPronunciation: /kənˈtrɪbjətər əˈɡriːmənt/
A legally binding contract signed by authors assigning copyright, licensing rights, or other intellectual property claims to the journal or publisher. It specifies author rights regarding reuse, archiving, and distribution of the published work.
Plain English
A legal agreement where authors grant the journal rights to publish and distribute their article.
Etymology & History
Usage
"Authors must sign the contributor agreement before publication to authorize copyright transfer to the publisher."
Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Contributor Agreement' when referencing specific institutional agreements; use lowercase generically.
Also known as
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do open access journals require contributor agreements?
Yes, but typically they retain author copyright while granting the journal publishing and distribution rights.
Can authors negotiate contributor agreement terms?
Rarely with major journals, but some allow modifications; always review terms before signing.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Critical for authors understanding publication obligations and retention of intellectual property rights.
Required skill level: Junior