The EU report drafted by economists from Toulouse University and the Free University of Brussels on the economic and technical evolution of scientific publishing in Europe, published on 31 March 2006, recommends public access to scientific research funded by the European taxpayer.

The report proposes the development of a European policy that would allow researchers receiving EU funding to place copies of articles published in subscription journals on web-based archives that can be accessed by everyone for free. It also expressed the need to “specify standards that will insure that the archives are accessible, interoperable, and have cross-searching facilities. In addition, set up a general European archive for researchers with access to a subject-based or institutional archive.”

Among many other recommendations, the report suggests the development of electronic publications through the elimination of the “unfavorable tax treatment of electronic publications” by reducing the VAT rate or by introducing a tax refund. It is considered that the “higher rate applied to electronic delivery of information in Europe strongly affects European research institutions, especially when compared to other countries where electronic services are exempt from tax.” The authors also believe that public funding and public-private partnerships should be formed to create journal digital archives in areas such as social sciences and humanities when there is little commercial interest.

This is a serious blow for traditional publishers of scientific journals who are worried that subscriptions will drop. According to the report, the price of scientific journals increased 300% more than the inflation rate during the last 10 years, which put a limitation to the dissemination of knowledge and scientific progress.

Janez Potocnik, European Science and Research Commissioner stated: “It is in all our interests to find a model for scientific publication that serves research excellence. We are ready to work with readers, authors, publishers, and funding bodies to develop such a model.”

The European Commission waits for reactions and comments to the report as well as other contributions related to scientific publications until June 2006.

Study of the economic and technical evolution of the scientific publication markets in Europe (31.03.2006)
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/science-society/pdf/scientific-publ...

Brussels delivers blow to Reed Elsevier (19.04.2006)
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1756426,00.html

European Commission Releases Key Scientific Publishing Report (10.04.2006)
http://www.infotoday.com/newsbreaks/nb060410-1.shtml