Ensuring recognition and reward

All stakeholders agree that there needs to be a suitable system for recognition and reward in return for effort and the value contributed to research outputs, and this is seen to be necessary not just for natural justice but to enhance the functions of scholarly communication.

The issues outlined in RIN’s Statement of Principles can be seen to consider this area of policy development as being complicated by any sense of injustice that may be felt before addressing the needs of a system that is seen to be under increasing strain from several directions. This is a challenge for policy-makers in each of the key stakeholder groups as there is a need to be empathetic to the perspectives of others while not losing sight of the sustainable development of scholarly communications as a system.

Objectives

RIN’s Statement of Principles sets out three key goals for public policy in this area:

1. Those who create new knowledge and understanding are entitled to recognition and support
2. An appropriate balance needs to be struck between securing recognition and offering access with due priority
3. Rights holders and users need to know their rights and apply their responsibilities through an easily understood IP regime. 

The references in the Policy Centre can be consulted with a mind to each of these, and should specifically address the aim of constructing an IP framework that supports creativity and innovation while ensuring that knowledge is shared.