Open Access License
nounPronunciation: /ˈoʊpən ˈæksɛs ˈlaɪsəns/
A legal agreement specifying the terms under which published research is made freely available to readers, including permitted uses such as distribution, modification, and commercial application. Common licenses include CC-BY, CC-BY-NC, and CC-BY-SA, each with different usage restrictions.
Plain English
A legal permission document that explains how readers can freely access, share, and use a published research article.
Etymology & History
Usage
"The journal requires all published articles to be distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Open Access License."
Style guide notes: Spell out license types fully on first mention (e.g., 'CC-BY-SA 4.0') before abbreviating.
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Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do authors pay fees under Open Access Licenses?
Many journals charge Article Processing Charges (APCs); some offer free open access publishing.
What's the difference between CC-BY and CC-BY-NC?
CC-BY allows commercial use; CC-BY-NC restricts commercial use while permitting non-commercial reuse.
Why Test Candidates on This?
Essential for understanding modern journal publishing models and researcher rights.
Required skill level: Mid