Copyright can feel like one of those topics everyone knows is important, but no one really wants to untangle. If you’re sharing your research on SSRN, though, understanding the basics goes a long way toward keeping your work accessible and compliant. 

At its core, copyright gives creators a bundle of rights over their work, the right to reproduce it, share it, adapt it, and decide who else can do the same. Copyright protects “original works of authorship, giving creators exclusive rights to their creations.” 

SSRN’s job is to help you share your research widely, but only when doing so doesn’t infringe on someone else’s rights. That means we verify that the version you upload is one you’re actually allowed to post. 

Which Version of Your Paper Can You Share? 

This is the question authors ask most often, and the answer depends on your publisher. 

Publishers have their own self‑archiving rules that determine whether you can post: 

• A working paper (preprint) — usually the most flexible version to share. Working papers “have not yet undergone peer review” and are commonly posted for early feedback. 

• An accepted manuscript — many publishers allow this version, but often with conditions such as embargo periods. 

• The final published version — this is the most restricted. Publishers often reserve exclusive rights to distribute the Version of Record, including formatting, pagination, and branding. We emphasizes that publishers might have specific policies about sharing the final published version. 

The safest move is to check your publishing agreement or the publisher’s copyright policy before uploading anything. SSRN’s Terms of Use also outline what you can and can’t post. Bear in mind that some publishers have specific terms which mean they might not want you to share your work on a platform such as SSRN, so it’s always a good idea to check if you’re not sure. 

Do You Need Permission? Sometimes and Here’s When 

If the publisher owns the rights to the version you want to upload, you’ll need written permission. Written permission must be obtained from the rightsholder to re-use any copyrighted material and that the rightsholder is typically the publisher unless it is explicitly indicated otherwise. 

You can usually request permission through: 

• The publisher’s permissions department 

• Rightslink (via the article’s webpage) 

And no, silence does not count as approval. 

Does SSRN Own Your Copyright? Absolutely Not. 

Uploading to SSRN does not transfer your copyright. You simply grant us a non‑exclusive right to post and distribute your paper. You can remove it at any time. 

You also confirm that your submission doesn’t violate anyone else’s rights, which is a standard requirement for any scholarly repository. 

What If You Spot a Copyright Problem on SSRN? 

If you believe a posted paper infringes copyright, we have a formal process for reporting it, which you can read here. Depending on the situation, we may remove the paper, warn the user, or restrict account access. These actions are part of enforcing the platform’s Terms of Use. 

Why All This Matters 

Copyright isn’t just a legal technicality, it’s what allows authors, publishers, and platforms like SSRN to coexist without stepping on each other’s toes. Our Copyright Reference Guide encourages authors to: 

• Review their agreements 

• Check publisher policies 

• Request permission when needed 

• Provide documentation during submission 

Determining posting rights of a work can be complex, but being proactive helps ensure your research is shared responsibly and effectively.