Abstract
Introduction. The paper explains how the modern understanding of authorship
developed and sets out the problems to be considered when discussing digital
authorship.
Method. The contextual analysis of contents of the key themes is employed; in the
articulation of the conclusions, analytic and synthetic approaches are used.
Results. At each turning point, a new layer, immanent to the modern concept, was
assigned to authorship. Reference is made to changes reflecting the specifics of digital
authorship, emphasising the context conditioning the position of author and the attitude
to an authorial work.
Conclusions. A digital author is more independent of a publisher; the work is more
visible; attention is directed at the work at the expense of its medium. However, digital
authors own material and moral rights to the work, which are international, while their
position is made relative and re-examined. The behaviour of authors, the possibilities of