Project Retain: Phase Two Findings and Insights
The second phase of Project Retain marks a significant step forward in understanding how institutional rights retention policies are evolving across Europe. Building on the insights from Opening Knowledge: Retaining Rights and Licensing in Europe 2023, this latest report provides case studies from ten European countries, illustrating a diverse landscape of progress, challenges, and strategic approaches, featuring initiatives in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, and the UK. Read the Project Retain report to explore the 10 case studies and insights in depth.
Key trends in Rights Retention across Europe
While institutions in the UK and Norway have led the charge in rights retention since 2022, other European nations are actively exploring and developing their policies. Some are working within existing legal frameworks, while others are pushing for legislative reforms to create clearer pathways for institutional policies.
Among the case studies featured in the report:
- Finland and Italy are fostering collaborative efforts, focusing on education and training to advance institutional policies despite the hurdles of legal reform.
- France and the Netherlands have introduced Secondary Publishing Rights (SPR), and institutions are now working to raise awareness on rights and a coherent institutional policy response is emerging to ensure that the full benefits can be realised.
- Ireland and Slovenia are adopting a holistic strategy, balancing institutional policy adoption with legal reform discussions.
- Bulgaria has recently enacted legislative changes, but institutions must now implement institutional policies to capitalise on these reforms.
- Serbia is considering legislative reform to support long-standing discussions on rights retention.
Lessons and recommendations
One of the key takeaways from Project Retain is that progress is possible even in challenging legal environments. Institutions looking to develop policies need to:
- Map the landscape to understand the legal and institutional factors at play.
- Prioritise progress over perfection, recognising that incremental changes can yield meaningful results.
- Build alliances by connecting with interested parties across institutions and sectors.
- Seek sound legal advice to navigate risks and optimise policy design.
Collaborative initiatives, such as the N8 Research Partnership in the UK and the Finnish University Libraries’ Network (FUN), demonstrate how collective efforts can promote rights retention while accommodating diverse institutional needs.
Moving forward
As institutions throughout Europe enhance their approach to rights retention, this report highlights the significance of adaptable strategies and cooperative efforts. Whether through policy initiatives, legal reform, or raising awareness, every action taken strengthens the path towards open scholarship.
31 March 2025
