Which user license should I choose?

The user license options available define how readers can reuse open access articles published on our platforms. You are required to decide which license best suits you. Please note: once selected user licenses are irrevocable.

Elsevier offers a choice between a commercial and noncommercial Creative Commons license in our proprietary titles. The choice is dependent on the journal in which you choose to publish. Please go to the journal's homepage for specific details. To go to your journal's homepage, search for the journal using the search box under 'Find by journal title' in the journal author's pageopens in new tab/window.

Please note: UK Government authors publishing their article open access are eligible for Open Government License (OGL)opens in new tab/window. Please click the "Chat with us" icon at the bottom‑right if you are eligible for OGL and we will provide you with necessary forms.

You can read in more detail about Open Government Licenses on our website hereopens in new tab/window. For more information on open access licenses, please click hereopens in new tab/window.

Please also note that for the employees of an Inter-Governmental Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) or World Bank (WB) we offer authors the choice of two Intergovernmental Creative Commons user licenses (IGO licenses).

How

Follow these steps to choose a license:

1. Check if your funding bodyopens in new tab/window requires a specific license.
2. Check the Creative Commons websiteopens in new tab/window for more details about what to consider before choosing a user license.
3. Choose the license via the online Rights and Access form that will have been sent to the corresponding author.

Once selected, Creative Commons user licenses are non-revocable. If you feel it needs changing due to funding body requirements, please click the "Chat with us" icon at the bottom‑right for further assistance and we will provide you with offline form for you to complete and sign.

Still have a question?

We can help. Click “Chat with us” at the bottom right to reach Eva, our virtual assistant. If none of the suggested topics match your question, choose the option for other topics. Then tell Eva your open access query, including your article reference or invoice number if you have one, and Eva will help directly or connect you with the right team.