A method and system for maintaining originality-related information about elements in an editable object. It is determined that an element has been edited in the editable object. The originality-related information about the element, including the element's creator, is identified and recorded by embedding the originality-related information in the editable object, storing the originality-related information in an attached file, or storing the originality-related information in association with the element in a repository configured to be shared by different editable objects and further configured to be queried for elements of the different editable objects in association with originality-related information pertaining to the elements of the different editable objects. Whether the element is in compliance with a policy relating to the originality-related information about the element is assessed, and a result of the assessing (indicating compliance or non-compliance of the element with the policy) may be transmitted to a user.