Blog post by Stephen Wyber
An Access to Knowledge Issue
KR21 has submitted a response to the European Commission’s consultation on start-ups and scale-ups, highlighting the challenges faced by libraries and the wider research sector when looking to support spin-offs and collaborations.
Addressing the Innovation Paradox: The Role of Libraries in Start-Up Support
A core concern in the EU’s research and innovation policy in recent years has been how to overcome the ‘Innovation Paradox’ – the contrast between a vibrant basic (public) research sector and lower performance when it comes to creating new and competitive businesses.
Key to tackling this challenge are initiatives to support knowledge transfer and valorisation, working to turn great ideas into businesses and jobs. For many universities, research centres, and their libraries, supporting new firms is an integral part of their mission, helping to contribute to wider economic development goals.
This support is valuable – new and research-intensive firms frequently rely on the possibility to consult and build on the scientific and wider literature in order to grow and realise their potential.
Challenges with Copyright and Licensing
Current copyright laws and restrictive licensing agreements create barriers that hinder libraries from fully supporting innovative start-ups, spin-offs, and scale-ups.
The European Commission’s call for inputs on their planned Start-Ups and Scale-Ups Strategy – a first major action under the Competitiveness Compass – provided an opportunity to highlight this.
KR21’s response notably emphasises that:
- Licenses provided to libraries typically prohibit commercial use, limiting their ability to support start-ups.
- EU copyright law only grants research exceptions for non-commercial purposes, restricting access to knowledge for emerging businesses.
- Innovative SMEs (including start-ups and scale-ups) benefit from access to research, meaning that open access can pay a useful dividend.
- While these restrictions are likely intended to target big companies and to prevent harm to original markets, they inadvertently create obstacles for knowledge-based economic growth and for the fulfilment of libraries’ mission.
Looking Ahead: Proposed Solutions for Better Knowledge Access
To ensure libraries can effectively support start-ups, spin-offs, and scale-ups, KR21 proposes:
- A principles-based copyright exception—allowing research in general while preventing harm to original markets.
- Stronger protections for libraries against restrictive contract terms that create uncertainty.
- A robust secondary publication right—to maximise open access to research content.
We look forward to the resulting European Commission Strategy, and trust that it will help shape upcoming debates about how to improve knowledge circulation for innovation and economic growth.
19 March 2025
