Copyrights, licenses, and access restrictions

Can I deposit content for which I do not hold copyright?

Yes, provided you have permission from the copyright holder to do so. The SDR Terms of Deposit addresses third party content. Be sure to review these terms (PDF) to ensure you can agree to them as required before depositing in the SDR and check out our additional information on these Terms below.

Can I apply a license at the file level?

No, the system currently facilitates licensing at the item level only. To indicate a file-level license within a deposited item, we offer two possible work-arounds: a depositor can add an annotation about a file-specific license in the file label and/or embed license information in the file itself.

Can I restrict access to content deposited in the SDR?

Yes, you can restrict file downloading to a Stanford-only audience. You can also "hide" individual files from being displayed on the PURL page, so that end users won't know they exist and can't download them. If all files on the deposited item are hidden, no viewer is displayed. Under all these scenarios, the PURL page and its metadata always visible to the world. 

The SDR is not a "dark archive" for private content; the intention is to promote sharing of deposited content for scholarly use. However, in special circumstances the publication of a PURL page may not be appropriate. Contact us if you have a situation that you feel warrants this exception.

Is there a "take down" policy?

Requests to take down, and effectively remove online access to, content in the SDR are considered by the University Librarian’s office. See also the University's page on copyright complaints.