Bits and pieces

DOI. Some readers have asked why contributions published in JIPLP -- and indeed other journals -- are often accompanied by a mysterious little piece of coding which contains the letters "doi". The answer simple. The "doi" is each published featured Digital Object Identifier.  In short,

The Digital Object Identifier (DOI^®) System is for identifying content objects in the digital environment. DOI^® names are assigned to any entity for use on digital networks. They are used to provide current information, including where they (or information about them) can be found on the Internet. Information about a digital object may change over time, including where to find it, but its DOI name will not change.

The DOI System provides a framework for persistent identification, managing intellectual content, managing metadata, linking customers with content suppliers, facilitating electronic commerce, and enabling automated management of media. DOI names can be used for any form of management of any data, whether commercial or non-commercial. The DOI System is an ISO International Standard.

The system is managed by the International DOI Foundation, an open membership consortium including both commercial and non-commercial partners. Over 48 million DOI names have been assigned by DOI SystemRegistration Agencies in the US, Australasia, and Europe.

Using DOI names as identifiers makes managing intellectual property in a networked environment much easier and more convenient, and allows the construction of automated services and transactions.

To learn more about DOI names, see the Overviews, and begin with the Introductory Overview and Introductory Slide Presentation. The Factsheets, including the most recent, "Managing Data Relationships Using DOI Resolution" and "DOI System and Standard Identifier Schemes" discuss key topics about the system. For the most complete description of all aspects of DOI System technology and policy, consult the DOI^® Handbook.

Lots more information can be gleaned about the background and functionality of the doi from the website of the International DOI Foundation here.


On the way, or already there.  Subscribers to the hard copy version of JIPLP should note that the April issue was dispatched a few days ago and you should be receiving yours imminently if you have not already done so.


Not mere pedantry.  Contributors are kindly requested to make sure that diacritic marks ("accents") are incorporated into the texts of their submissions.  This is because peer reviewers and members of the editorial and production teams -- who may not have access to your source materials -- may not know that you have left an accent out. This might sound trivial, but some important databases -- the Curia database of decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union being but one -- are very sensitive to the presence of absence of diacritic signs, and search engine results will also differ (thus searches for 'L’Oréal' and 'L'Oreal') will produce some overlapping hits but also many different ones).