# Rights retention: versions, agreements and open access

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Version | AAM, not the typeset publisher file | Identify the actual manuscript. |
| Funder | Hypothetical immediate-access requirement | Record applicability and exact condition. |
| Journal | Hypothetical deposit delay | Compare policy and agreement. |
| Resolution | Written institutional response | Resolve before signing. |
| Deposit | Version, licence, DOI and date | Check third-party material and version links. |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Version | __________ | __________ |
| Funder | __________ | __________ |
| Journal | __________ | __________ |
| Resolution | __________ | __________ |
| Deposit | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] A version-specific policy and contract comparison.
- [ ] Conflict-resolution, notice and coauthor records.
- [ ] A permitted deposit with correct metadata.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [cOAlition S — Rights Retention Strategy](https://www.coalition-s.org/rights-retention-strategy/)
- [Jisc — Open Policy Finder](https://openpolicyfinder.jisc.ac.uk/)
- [ICMJE — Roles of authors and contributors](https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/defining-the-role-of-authors-and-contributors.html)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/rights-retention/