The Universal Digital Repository
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Repository Policies

  • Metadata Policy (for information describing items in the repository)
    • Anyone may access the metadata free of charge.
    • The metadata may be re-used in any medium without prior permission for not-for-profit purposes and re-sold commercially provided the OAI Identifier or a link to the original metadata record are given.
  • Data Policy for full-text and other full data items
    • Anyone may access full items free of charge.
    • Copies of full items generally can be:
    • reproduced, displayed or performed, and given to third parties in any format or medium
    • for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge.
    • provided:
      • the authors, title and full bibliographic details are given
      • a hyperlink and/or URL are given for the original metadata page
      • the content is not changed in any way
    • Full items must not be sold commercially in any format or medium without formal permission of the copyright holders.
  • Content Policy (for document types and datasets)
    • This is an institutional or departmental repository OR Multi-institution subject-based repository [list subjects]:
    • The repository holds all types of items OR The repository only permits the following item types [list]
    • Items are individually tagged with their version type and date; their peer-review status; and their publication status.
  • Submission Policy concerning depositors, quality & copyright
    • Items may only be deposited by accredited members of the organisation, or their delegated agents.
    • Authors may only submit their own work for archiving.
    • The administrator only vets items for the eligibility of authors/depositors, relevance to the scope of the repository, valid layout & format, and the exclusion of spam
    • The validity and authenticity of the content of submissions is the sole responsibility of the depositor.
    • Items can be deposited at any time, but will not be made publicly visible until any publishers' or funders' embargo period has expired.
    • Any copyright violations are entirely the responsibility of the authors/depositors.
    • If the repository receives proof of copyright violation, the relevant item will be removed immediately.
  • Preservation Policy
    • Items will be retained indefinitely.
    • The repository will try to ensure continued readability and accessibility.
    • Items will be migrated to new file formats where necessary.
    • Where possible, software emulations will be provided to access un-migrated formats.
    • The repository regularly backs up its files according to current best practice.
    • The original bit stream is retained for all items, in addition to any upgraded formats.
    • Items may not normally be removed from the repository.
    • Acceptable reasons for withdrawal include:
      • Proven copyright violation or plagiarism
      • Legal requirements and proven violations
      • National Security
      • Falsified research
    • Withdrawn items are not deleted per se, but are removed from public view.
    • Withdrawn items' identifiers/URLs are retained indefinitely.
    • URLs will continue to point to 'tombstone' citations, to avoid broken links and to retain item histories.
    • Changes to deposited items are not permitted.
    • Errata and corrigenda lists may be included with the original record if required.
    • If necessary, an updated version may be deposited.
    • In the event of the repository being closed down, the database will be transferred to another appropriate archive.