Does AO3 Own Your Work? Understanding Copyright on Archive of Our Own
Learn if AO3 owns your creative content and how copyrights are handled when posting on Archive of Our Own.
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No, AO3 (Archive of Our Own) does not claim ownership over your work. When you post creative content on AO3, you retain your copyrights. The platform operates under the principle that creators maintain control over their intellectual property. However, by posting, you grant AO3 a license to host, distribute, and publicly display your work, but this does not transfer ownership. It's crucial to read and understand AO3's terms of service for clarity on how your work will be treated.
FAQs & Answers
- Does posting on AO3 mean you lose ownership of your work? No, posting on AO3 does not transfer ownership. Creators retain all copyrights while granting AO3 a license to host and display their work.
- What rights do you give AO3 when you post your work? You grant AO3 a license to host, distribute, and publicly display your content but retain full ownership and copyright.
- Should I read AO3’s terms of service before posting? Yes, it’s important to understand AO3’s terms of service to know how your work is handled and your rights as a creator.