Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Wednesday, September 08, 2004

More responses to the NIH OA plan

Bradie Metheny, NIH open access publishing policy receives initial good marks from most stakeholders, Washington Fax, September 8, 2004 (accessible only to subscribers). Excerpt: "In general, the NIH plan posted on the NIH Guide's web page Friday has received a favorable response from the majority those contacted by the Washington Fax. Comments included 'an excellent starting point,' 'NIH was listening to all parties,' and 'Given the existing business model, these steps are exactly the right ones.' However, misgivings continue in the realm of journal publishing. Many found themselves in the position of the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), which has 22 member societies that publish 59 journals. The member societies had yet to review the NIH proposal and were not prepared to make a public statement. The appropriate FASEB boards have plans to meet later in the month to discuss the policy's implications. However, FASEB President Paul Kincade commented [']It does appear NIH Director Elias Zerhouni was listening to what everyone had to say at the recent series of stakeholder meetings.['] John Regazzi, managing director of market development for Elsevier, the world’s largest publisher of journals, said no one can argue against giving the public access to NIH information; it is in the public interest. 'But how you do it is the key,' he said. '[The NIH proposal] is moving too fast,' Regazzi argued."