# Open Access and Data Sharing

Authors will decide whether their papers will be fully opened, and sharing will be allowed.

Open access will start meaning that data is to be fully disclosed.

Nonetheless, sometimes part of the data has some data to be protected for patent filing, for example.&#x20;

Todays’ technology allows for this to happen.

Scientific papers will be transformed in portable document format-pdf files. These pdf files will be minted on NFTs with onboarded submarine technology. This technology allows for data to be viewed under the presentation of a key. Taken these into account, the following mechanisms can be envisaged:

1. Opt-in Open Access: Authors will have the option to choose whether their papers are published as open access. They can decide to make their articles freely accessible to the public or restrict access to certain audiences.
2. Data Disclosure Guidelines: The community will establish clear guidelines for data disclosure in scientific articles. Authors will be encouraged to share their research data openly, ensuring transparency and reproducibility. The guidelines will outline the expected format, metadata standards, and storage requirements for shared data.
3. Data Anonymization and Privacy Protection: Authors will be provided with tools and guidelines to anonymize sensitive data while sharing. They will have the means to protect personally identifiable information and adhere to privacy regulations, ensuring data confidentiality without compromising openness.
4. Data Embargo Periods: To accommodate patent filing or other time-sensitive concerns, authors can opt for temporary data embargoes. During this period, certain portions of the data relevant for patent protection can be withheld, allowing authors to pursue intellectual property rights while still sharing the bulk of the research findings openly.
5. NFT-based Publication: Scientific papers will be transformed into PDF files and minted as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This process ensures the authenticity and immutability of the published content, making it verifiable and resistant to tampering.
6. Distributed File Storage: The community will leverage decentralized storage solutions, such as IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) or blockchain-based file storage systems, to store and distribute the NFT-backed PDF files. This approach ensures data redundancy, availability, and resilience, reducing reliance on centralized servers.
7. Access Control and Key-based Viewing: Authors can assign access keys or tokens to the NFTs, allowing controlled viewing of the associated scientific papers. These keys will grant specific individuals or groups access to the full content, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view the protected data, if applicable.
8. Decentralized Data Licensing: The community will develop decentralized licensing mechanisms that specify the terms and conditions for data usage. These licenses can allow researchers and users to legally access, reuse, and build upon the shared data, promoting collaborative research and innovation.
9. Data Citation Standards: The community will establish data citation standards to ensure proper attribution and recognition of data contributors. Researchers will be encouraged to cite the relevant datasets they used in their scientific articles, fostering a culture of acknowledging and promoting open data sharing.
10. Community Data Repositories: Dedicated community-driven data repositories will be established, serving as trusted platforms for storing and accessing shared research data. These repositories will feature robust metadata, search functionalities, and version control to facilitate data discovery and reuse within the community.

By implementing these open access and data sharing processes, the community will facilitate the transparent dissemination of scientific knowledge while respecting the needs of authors and protecting sensitive data while fostering collaboration, reproducibility, and innovation.

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