The Evolution of License Content

Abstract

The terms of licenses for electronic resources have changed in the past decade as librarians and publishers strived to reach common ground. A review and analysis of thirty-five licenses in effect prior to 2000 and their 2006 counterparts reveals how licenses evolved to meet the licensing principles set forth in recent years by the American Association of Law Libraries, the International Federation of Library Associations, and the NorthEast Research Libraries. Thirteen aspects of licenses were analyzed in the study. Eight aspects have evolved in the spirit of the principles, and four have not. The remaining aspect has not evolved as part of a license, but has emerged as a preferred business practice outside the license agreement that is in keeping with the practice the licensing principles encourage. The results of the analysis indicate that efforts in the library community to encourage the development of licenses that meet the needs of most libraries are having a positive impact.