This presentation was provided by Erik Limpitlaw of Stanford University Libraries during the NISO webinar "Driving Research, Breakthroughs and Discovery: Librarians, Publishers, and Researchers Collaborate to Get Stuff Done." The event was held December 10, 2025.

1. Licensing: From Mindset to Milestones
Erik Limpitlaw
Digital Collections Licensing Librarian
Acquisitions & Collection Development
Stanford University Libraries
erik1@stanford.edu
Driving Research, Breakthroughs, and Discovery:
Librarians, Publishers, and Researchers Collaborate to Get Stuff Done
NISO 12.10.2025
OVERVIEW
- Why Licensing Matters
- Framework Principles
- Key Licensing Milestones
- What’s Next

2. Why Licensing Matters
REDUCE DATA MISUSE
● Place clear guidance on
permissible and prohibited
terms of use in front of the
user
● Increase of awareness of
terms (i.e., Copyright, AI)
● Improve data security
FULFILL A LEGAL
OBLIGATION
● If the obligation exists in a
license, then the library
must fulfill it
● If not fulfilled, then there is
an increased risk to the
library
REDUCE RISK EXPOSURE to LIBRARY
● Identify increased responsibilities and
obligations
● Shared obligations spread risk exposure
Licensing

3. Key Licensing Milestones
Framework Principles:
• Consistency and accuracy
• Research‑aligned terms
• Realistic library obligations
• Negotiated (not default) terms
• Clear language for staff and users
What’s Next:
• Early engagement in ordering/renewals
• Requesting vendor change terms summaries
• Review Library Terms of Use
• User support on rights + AI questions
• Surfacing license terms in discovery tools
Closing: Licensing is now a key pillar of the library to facilitate research and responsible
use.