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California Bill Would Mandate Open Access To Publicly Funded Research

Posted by timothy on from the you-toss-me-the-idol-I-throw-you-the-funding dept.

ectoman writes "This week, advocates of open access to publicly funded research are keeping an eye on California's Taxpayer Access to Publicly Funded Research Act (AB 609), which could soon find its way to the California State Senate. The bill requires the final copy of any peer-reviewed research funded by California tax dollars to be made publicly accessible within 12 months of publication. If passed, the legislation would become the first state-level law mandating this kind of access. Opensource.com is featuring a collection of articles on open access publishing, which you can read while you await the verdict on AB 609."

6 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. It only makes sense by Terry+Pearson · · Score: 4, Insightful

    We pay for it, why should some private party reap the rewards?

    1. Re:It only makes sense by RabidReindeer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why, for profit of course.

      If we let any old schmuck access it, that could undermine the ability to patent research paid for by someone else and/or be first to market.

      And not charging for the access would put the publishers out of business, and we can't lose their valuable contributions to science.

      Don't you know the role of publicly financed research is to enrich corporations? Why do you hate America?

      That's right!

      If it loses money, socialize it and use it as proof that government is a failure.

      If it makes money, privatize it, give it to the Job Creators, and trumpet it as a triumph of the free market.

    2. Re:It only makes sense by jythie · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Well, the devil is in the details. Often public money only covers part of the cost of research. Both private entities and universities themselves (from licensing revenue) frequently contribute funds to various projects too.

      That being said, I suspect this bill would have little negative impact. Journals might worry about institutions that normally would pay for their services going free, but a 12 month delay is pretty significant so I suspect any place that currently pays for access cares enough to want the latest feed.

  2. Great concept! by applematt84 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I love the idea of research being available when funded by public resources. I always hear about research that is being performed, but I never know where to go to read the final report. If I do find a report it usually costs money.

  3. $1 Grant by mdmkolbe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If this passes, I would like to apply for a $1 grant even though I am not in California. Some publishers allow open access only when required by law and this would give me leverage. (As an academic it is in my interests to have my articles as easily accessible as possible. I never see a dime from the paywalls on my published articles.)

  4. You are an unrepentant parasite. Grow up. by Medievalist · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There has grown up in the minds of certain groups in this country the notion that because a man or corporation has made a profit out of the public for a number of years, the government and the courts are charged with the duty of guaranteeing such profit in the future, even in the face of changing circumstances and contrary to public interest. This strange doctrine is not supported by statute or common law. Neither individuals nor corporations have any right to come into court and ask that the clock of history be stopped, or turned back.

    --Robert A. Heinlein, Life-Line (1939)