embargo period
phrasePronunciation: /ɪmˈbɑrɡoʊ ˈpɪriəd/
A designated time period during which published content cannot be made freely available in repositories or other venues.
Full Definition
An embargo period is a publisher-imposed restriction that prevents authors from depositing their published work in institutional repositories, personal websites, or other open access venues for a specified duration after publication. This practice allows publishers to maintain subscription revenue by ensuring exclusive access to new content. Embargo periods typically range from six months to several years depending on the discipline and publisher policy.
Plain English
The waiting period after an article is published before the author can legally share it for free online.
In Editorial Context
A publishing policy consideration that affects author agreements, repository compliance, and coordination with institutional mandates for open access.
Etymology & History
Developed as publishers responded to the growth of institutional repositories and open access mandates while trying to protect subscription models.
Initially informal gentlemen's agreements, now formalized in copyright transfer agreements and author publication licenses.
Usage
"Our journal maintains a 12-month embargo period before authors may deposit the final published version in PubMed Central."
Usage note: Often confused with pre-publication embargoes on press coverage, but refers specifically to post-publication access restrictions.
Context: copyright negotiations, open access compliance, repository policies
Region: international
Also known as
Contrasted with
Don't confuse with
Sometimes confused with editorial delays or press embargoes, but specifically refers to post-publication access restrictions.