On 19 May 2025, the INSPIRING ERA project in collaboration with the IP40S project hosted a successful online event titled Secondary Publication Rights for Research: What are the options to openly publish your research? The event attracted around 250 participants from across Europe and beyond, underscoring the growing interest in how legal tools can support open access to publicly funded research.
Raising awareness of a powerful yet underused right
Secondary Publication Rights (SPRs) allow researchers to make their peer-reviewed articles openly accessible – even if they are initially published behind a paywall. While these rights are enshrined in law in several European countries, many researchers remain unaware of them or unsure how to use them effectively. The event aimed to close this knowledge gap by offering insights into the legal landscape, practical implementation, and real-world applications of SPRs.
The event began with a welcome and overview from Bertil Egger-Beck, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, who highlighted how Secondary Publication Rights are addressed within the ERA Policy Agenda.
A keynote session followed, featuring Martin Senftleben, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Amsterdam, and Caterina Sganga, Professor of Comparative Private Law at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. They described the purpose and benefits of SPRs and provided an overview of SPR legislation in countries where it is currently implemented: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Bulgaria. Professor Senftleben also presented key findings from a recent ERA study evaluating the EU copyright framework and outlined scenarios for harmonising SPRs across the EU and an EU-wide Secondary Publication Right.
National case studies: Germany and Bulgaria
The event also showcased national experiences with SPR implementation. Dr Christopher Karmann from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research shared a video message on how SPR is a key instrument for supporting open access in Germany, while also highlighting ongoing challenges. This was followed by a joint presentation from Yanita Zherkova (Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science) and Ana Lazarova (Sofia University), who explained Bulgaria’s legislative path and the national implementation of SPR.
Panel discussion explores the path forward
A panel discussion brought further insights from Stephen Wyper, Director of External Affairs, IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions); Frantzeska Papadopoulou Skarp, Professor of Private Law, Stockholm University; and Bernhard Schubert, Deputy Head, Open Access Office, University of Vienna.
The panel explored three thematic areas: how Secondary Publication Rights can support open access by protecting researchers; ways to improve implementation through legal and institutional support; and opportunities for developing a unified framework across Europe.
The event was moderated by Helen Garrison, Project & Communications Manager at Public & Science Sweden and organised as part of its involvement in the EU INSPIRING ERA project, which seeks to support the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda.
Resources
The event recording and supporting materials are now available on the INSPIRING ERA website, providing a valuable resource for researchers, institutions, and policymakers working to advance open access through Secondary Publication Rights.
