A significant driver for the OER movement has been the altruistic notion that educational resources should be available to all (JISC 2014). Different sectors in the educational community have varied organisational cultures and institutional practices, meaning that the approach to sharing, using and re-purposing teaching and learning resources is unique to each context. 

The JISC Guide Open Educational Resources OER provides guidance on balancing considerations of access with licensing requirements; explores cultural and accessibility issues; and looks at barriers to, and benefits of sharing OERs. The Rebus Community publication, A Guide to Making Open Textbooks with Students, includes a chapter on Student Rights & Faculty Responsibilities.