What is a DOI?

As defined by the International DOI Foundation, "the Digital Object Identifier (DOI®) is a system for identifying and exchanging intellectual property in the digital environment. Developed by the International DOI Foundation, it provides a framework for managing intellectual content, for linking customers with content suppliers, for facilitating electronic commerce, and enabling automated copyright management for all types of media."

Information about a digital object may change over time, including where to find it, but its DOI name will not change. In the future, a DOI will identify an object (like an article), not the location (SPE.org, for example) where that object is located. A DOI is linked to an object by a resolver system, and the location to which it resolves may be changed easily by the publisher without the user ever reaching a dead-end or broken link.

Want to Know More About the DOI and Its Use?

See the International DOI Foundation FAQ for more information.