"We own it": dealing with "perpetual access" in big deals

Abstract

This article presents the results of a survey of Canadian university libraries that investigated whether libraries have been able to stay abreast of the many changes that affect their access to paid-for e-content. This report emphasizes the publishers’ obligations to notify licensees when ownership changes hands and libraries’ need to actively pursue licensed content in ownership transfers. The meaning and application of “perpetual access” clauses in e-journal licenses under change-of-ownership situations is also discussed.