[Open-access] Fwd: Canadaian OA reaching tipping point

[Couture Marc]

In is post about Michael (Geist)'s article Open Access to Canada's Research Nears Tipping Point

http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2013/10/22/Open-Access-Canadian-Research

which mentioned the policy proposed by two of the three Canadian federal grant agencies (the third, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, has already a similar mandate in place), Arun wrote the following:

"If it means all researchers will be required to publish in open access journals or hybrid journals..."

Fortunately, the proposed policy gives researchers the choice between Gold and Green OA, with no preference The proposal simply states that publications are to be made "...freely accessible within 12 months of publication, either through the publisher's website (Option #1) or an online repository (Option #2)."

(http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NSERC-CRSNG/policies-politiques/Tri-OA-Policy-Politique-LA-Trois_eng.asp#3

So while it can be considered a "good open access mandate", it would be better if the allowed embargo was shortened, and if immediate deposit upon acceptation (in closed access for the duration of the embargo, when applicable) was required.

Also worth mentioning is that in his article, Geist incorrectly states that the current (sic) policy "is limited to research articles, books and other larger publications". In fact, it only applies to peer-reviewed journal publications.

Marc Couture

De : open-access-bounces at lists.okfn.org [mailto:open-access-bounces at lists.okfn.org] De la part de Subbiah Arunachalam
Envoyé : 22 octobre 2013 07:54
À : open-access at lists.okfn.org; open-science at lists.okfn.org; Teresa Hackett; Abel L. Packer; Dominique Babini
Objet : [Open-access] Fwd: Canadaian OA reaching tipping point



Dear Michael:

I just read your short article "Open Access to Canada's Research Nears Tipping Point" where I found this: "Canada's major research funding agencies prepare to mandate open access publishing for grant recipients across the country."

If it means all researchers will be required to publish in open access journals or hybrid journals making certain articles open access for article publishing fees, we need to be careful. Such a mandate, similar to what the Finch Committee recommended for research in UK, will only permit commercial publishers to retain their stranglehold over researchers and research. A good open access mandate should mandate open access, period. That would permit all researchers to place the full text of their papers in institutional (or central) OA repositories.
Regards.

Arun

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