Distribution metadata
A document distribution (hereinafter, the Distribution) is the process by which a report or another document gets or is intended to get (a) distributed to its designated consumers and, if the Distribution is restricted, (b) not distributed to anyone else.
Notice
A notice of distribution and access restrictions is a conditional part of report's front matter. The notice is included when intellectual property rights and/or state restrictions on access or use need to be specified. If the notice is included, it functions as a part of report's administrative metadata.
Copyright
- Main wikipage: Copyright
- Copyright is the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell a report or another original work.
Limitations and notices
- The ANSI/NISO Scientific and Technical Reports standard details,
- When necessary to call attention to certain aspects of a report, such as its security classification, restricted distribution, or proprietary information, appropriate notices appear on the cover and title section. For example, a notice may alert the reader that a particular report is:
- a presentation of preliminary findings subject to revisions, or
- a formal draft or a working paper intended to elicit comments and ideas.
- When necessary to call attention to certain aspects of a report, such as its security classification, restricted distribution, or proprietary information, appropriate notices appear on the cover and title section. For example, a notice may alert the reader that a particular report is:
- If disclaimers or similar notices are needed, they appear on the inside front cover or the optional copyright page that follows the title page of a printed report. Notices may also alert the reader to certain legal conditions, for example, using brand or trade names in the report.
- Generic terms are preferable to brand or trade names if scientific and technical accuracy can be maintained in using them.
- A disclaimer may or may not be appropriate for government-generated reports. It is the responsibility of each organization to determine the appropriate notice for the reports it produces and to coordinate these decisions with the appropriate legal counsel. Government classified material will have specific regulations; producers should follow the regulations applicable to their government agency.
List
Distribution List
If included, the distribution list follows the index (or glossary, if there is no index). The list indicates the complete mailing address of the individuals and organizations receiving copies of the report and the number of copies received. The Privacy Act of 1974 forbids federal agencies from listing the names and home addresses of individuals, so in a government report a distribution list contains business addresses only. Distribution lists provide a permanent record of initial distribution. In the case of classified reports, restricted-distribution reports, and reports containing proprietary data, such lists are extremely valuable as they can be used later for communicating instructions regarding handling and classification downgrading. A distribution list is also useful if errata are discovered and changes are issued to correct a report.
