IEEE license agreement frequently asked questions

  1. What information is required for a license agreement?
  2. What are the terms and conditions of online subscriptions?
  3. Do I have to sign a new license agreement every year?
  4. How does IEEE define "Authorized Users"?
  5. Can I email IEEE articles to other authorized users?
  6. What is the IEEE definition of an "authorized site"?
  7. What is the IEEE archival policy?
  8. What is the IEEE policy on robots or other intelligent agents?
  9. Does IEEE provide usage reports?
  10. Do I need to have a license agreement signed and on file before my access starts?
  11. Does IEEE subscribe to the doctrines of "Fair Use"?
  12. What if I need to add or remove IP addresses from my account?
  13. Does IEEE allow the use of proxy servers?

 

1. What information is required for a license agreement?
IEEE typically requires the following information when asking a customer to complete our license agreements: name of licensee, address, email (primary contact), fax, authorized signature, the licensed products being subscribed to, name/physical address of authorized sites, IP address of authorized sites and/or IP address of proxy servers, physical address of proxy servers (if used), and the intended use of proxy servers.

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2. What are the terms and conditions of online subscriptions?
The terms and conditions of IEEE online subscriptions vary depending on the product. Specific terms and conditions can be requested by contacting the IEEE Customer Center at onlinesupport@ieee.org.

 
3. Do I have to sign a new license agreement every year?
No, signing a new license agreement each year is not required. However, to continue delivering the best-in-class user experience to our valued customers, IEEE revises our license agreements from time to time in an effort to remain on par with industry standards, at which point we may ask that an updated version of the agreement be signed. Also, various products will require that separate license agreements are signed.

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4. How does IEEE define "authorized users"?
"Authorized users" are (a) persons affiliated with Licensee as students, faculty, or employees of Licensee; (b) persons physically present in Licensee's facilities; or (c) such other persons as IEEE may, at the request of Licensee and in the sole discretion of IEEE, authorize in writing to access the Licensed Products. All alumni must be physically present at an "authorized site" of Licensee in order to be considered an "authorized user" and access the Licensed Products. Remote access for alumni, unless prior written permission is granted by IEEE, is prohibited.

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5. Can I email IEEE articles to other authorized users?
No, IEEE does not allow the electronic transfer of any portion of the licensed material because there is no secure wrapper ensuring that the end user receiving the email is an authorized user. We do encourage users to forward PDF links to individual articles. If the end users receiving the PDF link are authorized, they will be automatically recognized by our system by IP, or they will be prompted to log in via username and password. By not allowing the sharing of licensed materials via electronic transfer, IEEE is protecting the content against potential abuse and unauthorized use.

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6. What is the IEEE definition of an "authorized site"?
An "authorized site" refers to those locations listed in the license agreement where authorized users are permitted to access licensed content.

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7. What is the IEEE archival policy?
Upon termination of an online subscription, the subscribing institution (Licensee) may retain the right to use in archived form the content of the database for the years in which the Licensee subscribed, provided that the Licensee (i) continues to adhere to its obligations with respect to security and restrictions on usage as stated herein and/or in the then current license agreement; (ii) pays all costs associated with providing the database content to Licensee on a mutually agreeable media type; and (iii) continues to limit access to the content of the database to authorized users at the authorized sites or via remote access.

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8. What is the IEEE policy on robots or other intelligent agents?
IEEE does not allow the use of robots, spiders, crawlers, or intelligent agents to access, search, and/or systematically or substantially download any portion of the licensed products.

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9. Does IEEE provide usage reports?
IEEE will provide usage reports to its organizational subscribers upon request. Usage statistics require a username/password, which may be acquired from IEEE Customer Service. Customer statistics for the calendar year appear on our COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of NeTworked Electronics Resources) compliant statistics site.

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10. Do I need to have a license agreement signed and on file before my access starts?
Access to your subscription will begin immediately. IEEE will negotiate in good faith with any customer for a period of 30 days after the initiation of your subscription. If the signed license agreement is not on file within 30 days after the start of your subscription, your access may be suspended until all outstanding items are resolved.

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11. Does IEEE subscribe to the doctrines of "Fair Use"?
IEEE subscribes to a specific set of authorized uses that are outlined in its license agreement. For a summary of those authorized uses, please contact onlinesupport@ieee.org.

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12. What if I need to add or remove IP addresses from my account?
Please have an authorized representative from your organization fill out the IP Amendment Form.

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13. Does IEEE allow the use of proxy servers?
IEEE will allow the use of proxy servers provided that access through the proxy is to authorized users only. Physical address(es) and IP address(es) of proxy servers are required.

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Contact the IEEE Customer Center

Contact the IEEE Customer Center at onlinesupport@ieee.org with questions or comments regarding any of these license agreements.

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