Top-level Element: <accessCondition>
| Element | <accessCondition> |
|---|---|
| Definition | Information about restrictions imposed on access to a resource. |
| Attributes | type; displayLabel; altRepGroup; altFormat; contentType; xlink; lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration |
| Subelements | None |
GUIDELINES | EXAMPLES | MAPPINGS
GUIDELINES FOR USE
One use of <accessCondition> is to indicate rights relating to access and use of a resource, particularly digital resources. The audience for such rights information is the end user, so rights information should be as free of legalese and technical jargon as possible. State clearly any restrictions on use of the resource, including explicitly mentioning lack of copyright restrictions when the resource is in the public domain. Also provide contact information for use by end users who wish to pursue required permissions for publication, exhibit, or other types of dissemination.
A link may be supplied in lieu of or in addition to the content. If, for example, you maintain rights information relating to specific resources on a website, you may wish to provide a URL for that website in lieu of a textual rights statement. When doing so, you should provide enough textual explanation, along with the URL, to make the purpose of the URL clear to end users. This element is extensible to allow for using an established XML schema outside of MODS for the information, e.g. the CDL Copyright schema. When used in this manner, <accessCondition> becomes a container element.
Specific DLF/Aquifer Guidelines
The DLF/Aquifer Implementation Guidelines for Shareable MODS Records require the use of at least one <accessCondition> element with the type attribute containing the value "use and reproduction" in every MODS record.
Use the type value "restriction on access" only to indicate access restrictions (such as those based on institution affiliation or age) rather than restrictions on use. Other sorts of restrictions, such as government classification, should have no type attribute.
Whenever possible, consider using a standard license such as Creative Commons and/or a rights expression language such as the Open Digital Rights Language (ODRL) specification.
In cases where access to a resource is unrestricted, a statement should appear that says so.
See the <accessCondition> entry in the DLF/Aquifer Summary of MODS Requirements and Recommendations Table for further information on requirements of this element, its attributes, and subelements.
Access condition is addressed in the "Recommendations for classes of data elements" under "Rights for resources" in the DLF/NSDL Best Practices for Shareable Metadata 
.
Element Description
Attributes
type
- restriction on access – Indicates the information is about restrictions imposed on access to the described materials, e.g., limited distribution.
- use and reproduction – Indicates the information is terms governing the use of the materials after access has been provided, e.g., copyrights, film rights, trade restrictions, etc.
altRepGroup; altFormat; contentType; xlink; lang; xml:lang; script; transliteration; displayLabel
Subelements
There are no subelements for <accessCondition>.
EXAMPLES
Where use of a resource is restricted:
Where use of a public-domain resource is unrestricted:
<accessCondition type="use and reproduction">Literary rights of Carrie Chapman Catt have been dedicated to the public</accessCondition>
Where a repository wishes to grant unrestricted rights to a resource for which it holds copyright:
Where access to a resource is restricted:
Where access conditions are unknown:
Extension of access conditions using another schema:
<copyright copyright.status="copyrighted" publication.status="unpublished" xmlns="http://www.cdlib.org/inside/diglib/copyrightMD" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.cdlib.org/inside/diglib/copyrightMD http://www.cdlib.org/groups/rmg/docs/copyrightMD.xsd">
<country.creation iso.code="us">United States</country.creation>
<creator>
<rights.holder>
<contact>702 North Grand, Santa Ana, CA 92701. 714-547-4604</contact>
<services>
<note>Consult institution: 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA 94704. Phone: (510) 981-6100, TDD: (510) 981-6100), Web: http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org</note>
<general.note>Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift of purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.</general.note>
MAPPINGS
MARC Mapping (Bibliographic)
<accessCondition> ≈ MARC 21 fields 506 and 540
<accessCondition> with type="restriction on access" = MARC 21 field 506
<accessCondition> with type="use and reproduction" = MARC 21 field 540
See also MARC Mapping to MODS for the <accessCondition> element.
Dublin Core Mapping
The MODS to Dublin Core Metadata Element Set Mapping recommends mapping <accessCondition> to <dc:rights>.
MODS examples expressed in Dublin Core:
<dc:rights>For rights relating to this resource, visit http://hemi.nyu.edu/rights.html</dc:rights>
<dc:rights>Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike" License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)</dc:rights>
<dc:rights>Use of this public-domain resource is unrestricted. </dc:rights>
Last Updated: February 19, 2013