Nature announces changes to its self-archiving policy in a move to deflect criticism of copyright restrictions on peer-reviewed scientific reports
As of January 2005, authors of original research papers published by Nature Publishing Group (NPG) will be encouraged to submit the author's version of the accepted, peer-reviewed manuscript to their relevant funding body's archive, for release six months after publication.
In addition, authors will also be encouraged to archive their version of the manuscript in their institution's repositories (as well as on their personal web sites), also six months after the original publication.
This policy has been developed to extend the reach of scientific communications, and to meet the needs of authors and the evolving policies of funding agencies that may wish to archive the research they fund.
It is also designed to protect the integrity and authenticity of the scientific record, with the published version clearly identified as the definitive version of the article.
Nature was launched in 1869, and has always aimed to communicate science not only between scientists but also to the broader public.
NPG says it recognises the balance of rights held by publishers, authors, their institutions and their funders (Zwolle Principles, 2002), and has been a progressive and active participant in the recent debates about access to the literature. In 2002, NPG was one of the first publishers to allow authors to post their contributions on their personal web sites, by requesting an exclusive license-to-publish, rather than requiring authors to transfer copyright.
The company says it sees this most recent development as another step forward in the evolution of scientific communication on the internet.
It says it plans to actively support the self-archiving process, and will take further steps in the coming months to facilitate this.
It will continue to work with its authors, readers, subscribers, and site licence holders to develop policies, publications and services in line with their needs, it says.
