Introduction

Content access in Publica.la defines how users can interact with publications based on their roles and access rights. The platform implements a hierarchical access system that determines which users can view, read, or manage specific content.

User Roles

The platform supports three primary user roles, each with different access capabilities:

Superadmin

• Personnel working at Publica.la with email addresses ending in @publica.la
• Have complete access to all platform features and content
• Can manage stores, content, and system-wide settings
• Possess the highest level of permissions

Admin

• Store managers with administrative capabilities
• Can manage their store's content and settings
• Typically represent tenant owners or Publica.la clients
• Have intermediate level of permissions

User (Reader)

• End consumers of content
• Clients of the tenants
• Access content based on purchases, subscriptions, assignments or free access rights
• Have the most restricted level of permissions

Access Reasons

The platform uses a defined set of access reasons to determine whether a user can access specific content. These reasons are evaluated in a priority order to grant or deny access.

Access Evaluation Priority

The system evaluates access rights in a specific order, with different flows for authenticated and unauthenticated users.

For Unauthenticated Users

1. Preview Access - User can access preview content of a publication
2. Free Publication - User can access publications marked as free

For Authenticated Users

1. Preview Access - User can access preview content of a publication
2. Retail License - User has access through a retail license purchase
3. Administrator Access - User has admin privileges for the store
4. Free Publication - User can access publications marked as free
5. Free Access Grant - User has been granted free access to specific content
6. LTI Access - User has automatic access through Learning Tools Interoperability
7. Direct Purchase - User has purchased the publication or received manual assignment
8. External Access - User has reading permissions through external integration
9. Subscription - User has an active subscription that includes the publication

Access Persistence

• Purchases: Permanent access unless explicitly revoked
• Subscriptions: Access valid during subscription period
• Free Access: Can be time-limited or permanent
• Preview Access: Always available for preview-enabled content
• Admin Access: Valid while user maintains admin role

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