Copyright and License
Understanding Your Rights as an Author
Open Access License Model
Journal of Big Data Research (JBR) publishes all articles under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This open license model ensures maximum dissemination and impact of your research while protecting your rights as the copyright holder.
Unlike traditional publishing models where authors transfer copyright to the publisher, JBR's approach allows you to retain copyright while granting broad permissions for others to use, share, and build upon your work. This aligns with the principles of open access publishing and accelerates the advancement of big data science.
All articles published in JBR display a visible CC BY 4.0 license notice and link to the full license terms at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Understanding CC BY 4.0 License
The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License is the most permissive and widely used open license in scholarly publishing. Under this license:
What Others Can Do With Your Work
✓ Share
Copy and redistribute your article in any medium or format (print, digital, presentations, courseware)
✓ Adapt
Remix, transform, and build upon your work for any purpose, including commercial applications
✓ Translate
Create translated versions in other languages to reach global audiences
✓ Reuse
Use figures, tables, data, or methods in derivative research, teaching materials, or commercial products
The Only Requirement: Attribution
Anyone using your work must provide appropriate credit by citing the original article, providing a link to the CC BY 4.0 license, and indicating if modifications were made. This ensures you receive recognition for your contribution while enabling broad reuse.
No Additional Restrictions
Users cannot apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. The CC BY 4.0 license is irrevocable—once granted, it cannot be withdrawn (though you retain copyright and can separately license your work under different terms elsewhere).
What Rights Do Authors Retain?
When you publish with JBR under CC BY 4.0, you retain significant rights and control over your work:
Copyright Ownership
You retain full copyright ownership of your article. Your name appears on the copyright notice (e.g., "© 2025 John Smith et al."). You can exercise all rights associated with copyright ownership, subject only to the CC BY 4.0 permissions you've granted to users.
This is fundamentally different from traditional publishing where authors often transfer copyright entirely to publishers, losing control over how their work can be reused.
Reuse and Redistribution Rights
As the copyright holder, you can:
- Post your published article on your personal website, institutional repository, or preprint server
- Share the article on social media, academic networks (ResearchGate, Academia.edu), and professional platforms
- Include the article in your thesis or dissertation
- Reuse figures, tables, or text in your future publications (with self-citation)
- Create derivative works based on your research
- Present your work at conferences and distribute copies
- Grant additional permissions to third parties (e.g., for textbook inclusion)
Commercial Use Permissions
CC BY 4.0 allows commercial use, meaning companies can use your research in commercial products, services, or applications—with proper attribution. While this might seem concerning, it actually accelerates technology transfer and real-world impact. Your academic citation record benefits regardless of how your work is used, and you maintain moral rights to be identified as the author.
Moral Rights
In addition to copyright, you retain moral rights (where legally recognized): the right to be identified as the author, the right to object to derogatory treatment of your work, and the right to withdraw your work under certain circumstances. These rights ensure your reputation is protected even as your work circulates freely.
Benefits of CC BY 4.0 for Authors
Publishing under an open license provides numerous advantages for research impact and career advancement:
📈 Increased Citations
Studies consistently show open access articles receive 30-50% more citations than subscription-based publications. Free access means more researchers read and cite your work.
🌍 Global Reach
Researchers worldwide, regardless of institutional affiliation or geography, can access your work. This is particularly valuable for reaching practitioners in industry and developing countries.
✅ Funder Compliance
Major research funders (NSF, NIH, EU Horizon, Wellcome Trust) mandate open access publication. CC BY 4.0 satisfies most funder requirements automatically.
🎓 Educational Impact
Educators can use your work in courses, textbooks, and educational materials without seeking permission, expanding the educational impact of your research.
🔄 Derivative Works
Other researchers can build upon your work, develop extensions, replicate studies, or conduct meta-analyses—advancing science faster than restrictive licenses allow.
💼 Institutional Mandates
Many universities require faculty publications to be open access. CC BY 4.0 compliance satisfies these institutional open access policies.
Copyright Agreement Process
During the submission process, authors must complete a Copyright License Agreement that clarifies rights and responsibilities:
Author Responsibilities
By submitting to JBR, authors confirm that:
- The manuscript is original work and has not been published previously (except as a preprint or conference abstract)
- All listed authors have approved the manuscript for submission and publication
- All authors meet authorship criteria (substantial contribution to conception, design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation)
- Appropriate permissions obtained for any third-party materials (figures, tables, extended quotations)
- Research complies with ethical standards for human subjects, animal research, and data privacy
- No conflicts of interest exist that could inappropriately influence the research (or conflicts are disclosed)
- The manuscript is not under consideration at any other journal
Publisher Responsibilities
Open Access Pub (publisher of JBR) commits to:
- Publish your article under CC BY 4.0 with visible license notice
- Provide permanent hosting and preservation
- Assign DOI for reliable citation
- Submit to indexing services for discoverability
- Maintain article accessibility in perpetuity
- Not restrict or monetize access to published content
- Respect copyright and moral rights of authors
Multi-Author Agreement
For manuscripts with multiple authors, the corresponding author acts on behalf of all co-authors in signing the copyright agreement. Corresponding authors must obtain consent from all co-authors before submission and ensure all authors understand and agree to publication under CC BY 4.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my JBR article in my thesis/dissertation?
Yes, absolutely. You can include your published JBR article in your thesis or dissertation in any format. Many universities accept inclusion of published articles as dissertation chapters. Cite the published version appropriately and include a link to the JBR publication.
Can I post my article on ResearchGate or Academia.edu?
Yes. You can share the published PDF on academic social networks, your personal website, or institutional repository. We encourage sharing the official published version with the DOI link to ensure proper citation tracking. You can share immediately upon publication—no embargo period applies.
Can companies use my research commercially?
Yes. CC BY 4.0 permits commercial use with attribution. While companies can build products based on your research, they cannot claim your work as their own and must cite you properly. Commercial adoption often increases research impact and demonstrates real-world applicability—valuable for grant applications and career advancement.
What if someone misuses my work or doesn't cite me?
CC BY 4.0 requires attribution—users must cite your work. If someone fails to provide proper attribution, they violate the license terms and potentially commit plagiarism. You can contact them directly, notify their institution, or consult legal counsel. Open Access Pub supports authors in addressing misuse cases—contact [email protected] for assistance.
Can I publish the same research in another journal?
No. Once published in JBR, the same research cannot be republished in another peer-reviewed journal as this constitutes duplicate publication (a form of academic misconduct). However, you can: (1) Publish translations in non-English journals with proper citation, (2) Publish extended versions with substantial new content, or (3) Write derivative works that cite and build upon your JBR publication.
Does open licensing reduce the value of my research?
No—quite the opposite. Research demonstrates that open access increases citation impact, media attention, policy influence, and real-world application. Leading researchers and Nobel laureates publish open access. The value of research lies in its quality, novelty, and impact, not access restrictions. Open licensing amplifies impact rather than diminishing it.
Questions About Copyright or Licensing?
Our editorial team can clarify copyright terms, licensing implications, or permissions requirements for your specific situation.
Email: [email protected]
