This year, metadata development is one of our key priorities and weâre making a start with the release of version 5.4.0 of our input schema with some long-awaited changes. This is the first in what will be a series of metadata schema updates.
What is in this update?
Publication typing for citations
This is fairly simple; weâve added a âtypeâ attribute to the citations members supply. This means you can identify a journal article citation as a journal article, but more importantly, you can identify a dataset, software, blog post, or other citation that may not have an identifier assigned to it. This makes it easier for the many thousands of metadata users to connect these citations to identifiers. We know many publishers, particularly journal publishers, do collect this information already and will consider making this change to deposit citation types with their records.
Every year we release metadata for the full corpus of records registered with us, which can be downloaded for free in a single compressed file. This is one way in which we fulfil our mission to make metadata freely and widely available. By including the metadata of over 165 million research outputs from over 20,000 members worldwide and making them available in a standard format, we streamline access to metadata about scholarly objects such as journal articles, books, conference papers, preprints, research grants, standards, datasets, reports, blogs, and more.
Today, weâre delighted to let you know that Crossref members can now use ROR IDs to identify funders in any place where you currently use Funder IDs in your metadata. Funder IDs remain available, but this change allows publishers, service providers, and funders to streamline workflows and introduce efficiencies by using a single open identifier for both researcher affiliations and funding organizations.
As you probably know, the Research Organization Registry (ROR) is a global, community-led, carefully curated registry of open persistent identifiers for research organisations, including funding organisations. Itâs a joint initiative led by the California Digital Library, Datacite and Crossref launched in 2019 that fulfills the long-standing need for an open organisation identifier.
We began our Global Equitable Membership (GEM) Program to provide greater membership equitability and accessibility to organizations in the worldâs least economically advantaged countries. Eligibility for the program is based on a memberâs country; our list of countries is predominantly based on the International Development Association (IDA). Eligible members pay no membership or content registration fees. The list undergoes periodic reviews, as countries may be added or removed over time as economic situations change.
In its July 2018 meeting, the Crossref Board voted unanimously to approve and introduce a new set of membership terms. At the same meeting, the board also voted to change the description of membership eligibility in our Bylaws, officially broadening our remit beyond publishers, in line with current practice and positioning us for future growth.
Tl;dr
Itâs a very good thing to have clearer terms; we want everyone to understand what Crossref is about and what youâre getting into. Itâs a material change so we will be notifying members by direct email in December. Nobody needs to sign anything as the new terms are not signed, but are click-through acceptances on application, and that process is already in effect for new applicants. The new terms come into effect on 1st March 2019 for existing members and no action is needed.
If youâre a sponsored member youâll have a slightly adapted message soon as we work with your sponsor.
If youâre an NGO or US State Actor you will receive a slightly adapted message.
This post is for background explanation and information. We will email existing members directly, but no acceptance or signatureânor any actionâwill be needed.
Why are we updating the terms?
Being almost 20 years old the old agreement is out-of-date with current practice and technology, and has become quite long and confusing, especially for applicants for whom English is not their first language. Specific reasons include:
1. To improve efficiency
Over the years weâve had feedback that our application process is too long and involved. The membership agreement used to be signed manually by each new Crossref member, often days after they applied. We also now process around 180 new members each month which is too many for a wholly manual process managed by just one person.
2. To clarify the wording
People would tell us that the agreement is too long and confusing, especially when English is not their first language. There are often questions about the âlegaleseâ style of language that takes up too much time in back-and-forth discussions to ensure everyone has understood. Also, the main structure of the agreement has been in place for over a decade and needs updating to avoid confusion and to align with up-to-date language, services, technologies, and current practices.
3. To emphasize the community aspect and our membersâ obligations
It is quite a commitment to participate fully in Crossref, and we want people to understand up-front what their obligations are as part of the collective membership. And also to realize what value they are receiving as well as contributing to other members. We needed clearer terms so that every organization can understand what they are getting into.
Additionally, moving from signing contracts to click-through acceptance of standard terms emphasizes that Crossref is not a service provider or vendor. We are a not-for-profit community organization. We donât have the resources to negotiate and keep track of individual custom agreements.
Whatâs changing, step-by-step
We consulted with former and current legal counsel, the Membership & Fees Committee, and also with the M&F organizations individually. We have also absorbed a lot of feedback from many other members of all kinds and sizes.
For new members
The manually-signed membership agreement has alreadyâfor new membersâ been turned into a set of click-through terms that organizations agree to as part of the initial application process. It is no longer a separate document that needs to be signed or countersigned. This will simplify the application process for both new applicants and our staff.
For existing members
The new membership terms will come into effect for existing members on March 1st, 2019. Because this is a material change to the terms, we will be emailing members with more information but itâs important to note that no action is necessary from existing members. The new terms will replace the old terms automatically.
Eliminates legalese in favor of plain English. Updates defined terms to current usage. Shifts from execution by signature to acceptance by affirmative action.
Introduction
Background
1
Updates description of Crossrefâs activities to be current. Provides for a new applicantâs acceptance of Terms upon acceptance of application by Crossref and payment of first annual fee.
Membersâ rights
1
2(a)
Streamlines wording; eliminates reference to right to recommend working committee members.
Membersâ obligations
2
2(b)
Significant revision. Old 2(b) mentioned only payment of fees and appointment of a contact person. New Sec. 2 aims to capture all of a Memberâs operational obligations in one place.
Metadata deposits
2(a), (b)
3(a)(i)
Updates language regarding metadata deposits to current terminology and practice.
Rights to content
2(c)
15
Streamlines wording.
Registering identifiers
2(d)
3(a)ii)
Streamlines the language around registering identifiers.
Linking
2(e)
3(a)(iii)
States, in clearer language, the obligation to embed identifiers.
Reference linking
2(f)
3(a)(iv)
Eliminates outdated provision on Cross-Linking; replaces with a best efforts covenant to engage in Reference Linking.
Display identifiers
2(g)
N/A
Adds an obligation to comply with Crossrefâs display guidelines and ensure each identifier is hyperlinked to be citable.
Maintaining and updating metadata
2(h)
3(b)
Streamlines language. Adds obligation to maintain the URL and the accuracy of identifier data. Adds common examples of failure to maintain and update metadata.
Archiving
2(i)
3(d)
Adds link to examples of third-party archive providers. Adds option for Crossref to point to a âdefunct DOIâ page. Inserts best efforts obligation to contract with a third-party archive.
Content-specific obligations
2(j)
N/A
Adds reference to Crossrefâs record type rules and obligation to comply.
Fees
3
2(b)
Old agreement referred generally to âall membership dues and any charges or fees as established by the Board from time to time and set forth on the PILA Site.â New Section 3 aims to summarize the categories of fees associated with membership, including a reference to service fees for optional services if and when elected by the Member. Adds Member obligation to cover wire transfer fees/other payment costs.
General license
4(a)
4
Clarifies that the license grant covers only metadata and identifiers âcorresponding to such Memberâs Content.â
Metadata rights & limitations
4(b)
5
Significantly streamlines wording.
Crossrefâs IP
4(c)
6
Significantly streamlines wording.
Distribution of metadata
5
9(b)
Updates language regarding Crossrefâs rights to distribute Metadata. Adds an explicit carveout for a Memberâs reference distribution preference.
N/A
7, 8, 9(a)
Deletes extensive provision relating to obsolete âClean-Upâ and âReverse Look-Upâ services. Deletes provisions relating to obsolete âcaching and transferâ activities, and local hosting.
Use of marks
6
10
Substantially rewritten, including to reflect Crossrefâs more permissive approach to use of its logo.
Maintenance of the Crossref Infrastructure
7
[No analog.]
Adds covenant of Crossref to maintain the Crossref Infrastructure.
Term
8
11
Eliminates the concept of automatically renewing 12-month terms. Replaces with a perpetual term that continues until superseded by an amended version.
Termination of membership
9(a)
11
Provides for termination by the member upon written notice, rather than 90 daysâ written notice, to align with the Bylaws. Adds a for-cause termination right by the Member, and corresponding right to receive a refund of fees. Sets out certain bases for termination of membership by Crossref, consistent with the Bylaws.
Appeal rights
9(b)
13
No material change.
Effect of termination of membership
9(c)
12
Adds refund right for for-cause terminations.
Enforcement
10
13
Replaces âCrossref has the right but not the obligation to enforce the terms of this Agreement âŚâ with âCrossref shall take reasonable steps to enforce these Terms ⌠.â
Governing law; venue
11
14(a)
Keeps New York as choice of law, but moves forum to Boston, nearer to Crossrefâs US location.
Disputes
12
14(b)
No material change (but note venue provision moved to 11(a)).
N/A
15
Eliminates mutual âwarrantyâ provision; addresses rights to content and anti-infringement under other provisions.
Indemnification
13
16
Removes concept that Member is indemnifying other Crossref Members. Streamlines and cleans up the indemnity language.
Limitation of Liability
14
17
Adds explicit reference to the Crossref Infrastructure.
Assignment
16(c)
22
Removed language providing that Crossrefâs consent to assignment of the Terms shall not be unreasonably delayed or conditioned.
Amendment
18
2(c)
Old: âThe Board shall have the power to modify the terms of this Agreement by publishing amended versions that will automatically supersede prior versions ⌠. PILA will use its reasonable discretion in deciding if a modification is material, and if so will provide written noticeâ to the Member of the material changes. New: âThese Terms may be amended by Crossref, via updated Terms posted on the Website and emailed to each Member not less than sixty (60) days prior to effectiveness. By using the Crossref Infrastructure after the effective date of any such amendment hereto, the Member accepts the amended Terms.â
Data privacy
19
N/A
Adds a GDPR-compliant privacy provision; adds a linked reference to Crossrefâs new Privacy Policy.
Compliance
20
N/A
Adds a mutual compliance covenant and an OFAC/sanctions representation.
Various legal âboilerplateâ terms (taxes, waiver, independent contractor
15-17
18-28
Streamlined; replaced with more contemporary formulations; eliminated some excess verbiage.
