Conflicts of Interest / Competing Interests Policy

Publication Ethics

Trends in Intellectual Property Research is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and preventing all forms of academic misconduct. This policy defines the ethical obligations of authors, editors, reviewers, and the publisher. It is grounded in the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), emphasizing integrity, transparency, fairness, and accountability in legal scholarship.

All participants in the publication process are expected to adhere to these core values. Allegations of misconduct are treated with seriousness and investigated thoroughly, with appropriate corrective measures—such as corrections, retractions, or sanctions—applied where necessary.

Responsibilities of Authors

  • Accuracy and Reporting Standards: Authors must present their research truthfully and objectively, providing sufficient detail and references to enable verification. Fabrication or misrepresentation of data is unacceptable.
  • Originality and Proper Attribution: Submissions must be entirely original. All sources must be properly cited, and any form of plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
  • Exclusive Submission: Manuscripts should not be submitted to multiple journals simultaneously. Redundant or overlapping publication is not permitted.
  • Authorship Criteria: Only individuals who have made substantial contributions to the research should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final version and consent to submission. The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the journal.
  • Acknowledgment of Sources: All relevant literature and data sources must be appropriately recognized.
  • Disclosure of Conflicts: Authors must declare any financial, professional, or personal interests that could influence their work and acknowledge all funding sources.
  • Post-Publication Responsibility: Authors must promptly notify the journal if significant errors are identified after publication and cooperate in issuing corrections or retractions.
  • Human Subjects Compliance: Where applicable, research involving human participants must demonstrate informed consent, ethical approval, and respect for confidentiality.

Responsibilities of Editors

  • Editorial Decisions: The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board determine publication outcomes based on scholarly merit, originality, relevance, and legal compliance.
  • Impartiality and Independence: Manuscripts are evaluated solely on academic content, without discrimination based on personal characteristics or beliefs.
  • Confidentiality: Editors must treat all submissions as confidential and must not disclose information to unauthorized individuals.
  • Conflict of Interest: Editors must withdraw from handling manuscripts where conflicts exist and must not use unpublished material for personal benefit.
  • Integrity of Peer Review: Editors are responsible for ensuring a fair, unbiased, and timely double-blind peer review process involving qualified independent reviewers.

Responsibilities of Reviewers

  • Contribution to Editorial Decisions: Reviewers assist editors by providing informed, constructive evaluations of manuscripts.
  • Timeliness: Reviews should be completed within the agreed timeframe. Reviewers should promptly inform the editor if they are unable to undertake or complete the review.
  • Confidentiality: Manuscripts must be treated as confidential documents and not used for personal advantage.
  • Objectivity and Constructiveness: Feedback should be clear, reasoned, and respectful, avoiding personal criticism of authors.
  • Disclosure of Conflicts: Reviewers must declare any potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves where impartiality is compromised.
  • Reporting Concerns: Reviewers should alert editors to potential issues such as plagiarism, duplicate publication, or ethical concerns.

Handling Misconduct and Post-Publication Issues

  • Investigation Procedures: Allegations of unethical conduct—including plagiarism, data fabrication, or undisclosed conflicts—are examined in a fair and confidential manner in line with COPE standards.
  • Corrective Actions: Proven misconduct may lead to rejection, retraction, publication of corrections, notification of relevant institutions, or restrictions on future submissions.
  • Corrections and Retractions: Where necessary, the journal will issue corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record.
  • Privacy and Consent: Authors must ensure the protection of personal data and obtain all necessary permissions for publication.

By adhering to these ethical principles, Trends in Intellectual Property Research promotes responsible scholarship and ensures the credibility and integrity of the research it publishes.