Open access and the UK science and Technology select committee report Free for all?

Abstract

This guest editorial considers the arguments for and against open access publishing, based around the UK House of Commons Select Committee for Science and Technology's recent report Free for All? and the UK Government's response to the Report. The advantages of open access and the two different types of open access (open access journals and repositories) are described. Some of the potential problems with open access, such as the lack of a clear business model for open access journals, are also outlined. The author concludes that whilst open access is not a panacea and will not replace traditional scholarly publishing business models, it is here to stay and that authors, publishers readers and librarians will have to get used to the concept.