Purpose - To offer clear insights into methods for assessing the risk of mounting digital objects in a networked electronic library environment. Design/methodology/approach - A brief, selective summary of work to date on relevant present day digital library investigations into this area. Findings - It is possible to estimate the degree of risk involved in offering digital library services, in such a way as to manage this risk in a practical and responsible manner. Research limitations/implications - Further experience of digital rights issues will better inform discussion of these matters as digital library services grow and mature in the near future; immediate examples of digital library practice in this regard are minimal and remain uncertain in their interpretation as yet. Practical implications - The principles outlined may offer practitioners some useful insights into how to manage copyright aspects of their digital library collections on a day to day practical level. Originality/value - This paper attempts to offer some clear principles to help practitioners grasp an area that has appeared new and intimidatingly uncertain to date.
