DOI Services: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a new DOI account?

DOI services are available for University of California users only.

Can I get a new ARK account?

Yes.

Why are you changing EZID's service offering in this way?

DOI service providers have evolved considerably over the last 5-10 years, and after careful consideration, we have adopted the following new strategy direction: to endorse and support DataCite's long-term sustainability, while maintaining our own distinct role in the persistent identifier (PID) space.

What alternatives do I have for DOI services?

Option 1: Direct membership in DataCite. This is an especially good option if you seek a participatory role in the data citation and data curation community. In addition, we are working closely with DataCite to make sure popular EZID features (such as link checking and the usage dashboard) make their way into DataCite's feature set. If you'd like to know more, visit https://www.datacite.org/contact.html.

Option 2: Become a client of another DataCite member. Here is a list of current members: https://www.datacite.org/members.html.

Option 3: Use the services of a repository that provides DOIs, such as Dryad, Dataverse or figshare. This is a good option if you need only a very small number of DOIs.

Option 4: Become a client of Crossref. Crossref's annual member fee is based on the publishing revenue of the organization. For those organizations with less than $1M in publishing revenue the annual fee is $275. Crossref accepts data, text and preprints. You can explore Crossref's website for more information and when you are ready to apply for membership, complete this form: http://www.crossref.org/membership/join.

If you would like help assessing the differences between Crossref and DataCite services, please contact us

If I already have an EZID account, can I upgrade or change it?

You can certainly add new ARK services. If you have other questions, please contact us.

How does all of this affect University of California EZID account holders?

University of California clients and prospective clients are not affected by this change. If you have any questions, please contact us.