More Information on Informed Consent and Copyright
Informed consent is important for ensuring transparency in the interview process. The interviewee needs all the information necessary to decide whether or not to participate. Detailing the purpose of the interview, the goals of the project, and information such as how the recording will be archived and might be made publicly available helps establish an ethical relationship. It is important that the interviewee is voluntarily consenting to an interview and the interviewee understands that they can withdraw from the interview at any time or refuse to answer any questions.
Oral history interviews produced in the United States are subject to US copyright law. Copyright is automatic at the time of creation. Oral history interviews are under copyright by all creators: the interviewer holds copyright for the questions and the interviewee holds the copyright for the answers. It is a work of co-authorship. This is why Ohio University Libraries requires a contributor agreement and a Creative Commons license for your submission (which you will select when you submit your files to OHIO Open Library).