Translation to plain English of the Statement from APS Regarding Possible Executive Order Affecting Publications

On December 18th the American Association of Publishers published a letter protesting possible plans to mandate faster sharing of research articles. Signed by many commercial publishers (including Elsevier, Wiley, Wolters Kluwer), it was also signed by a number of scientific societies, including the Association for Psychological Science, one that has many members who support publishing reform. APS put out a statement regarding the issue.

Last week, reports emerged that the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was in the process of developing an executive order to overturn established federal policy and make articles reporting on US federally funded research immediately free to the public.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

No details were available about the change, when such a change might take effect, or what the process would be for gathering input from the affected stakeholders, including scientific organizations like APS, as well as the public.

We knew this was coming but are acting surprised.

Given the potential ramifications,

Realizing we might lose money,

APS joined with other scientific societies and publishers in mobilizing a quick, broad response in opposition to the possible executive order,

we all collectively lost our sh*t and hastily signed a letter in which we argue that "Going below the current 12 month 'embargo'...would undermine American jobs, exports, innovation, and intellectual property"

so that there is more time to gather information and discuss implications.

so that we would have more time to lobby.

Both Congress and the OSTP are responding to the concerns that were expressed,

We hope that anyone who reads this letter sincerely believes that in the midst of the impeachment circus, holidays, and recess, congress is laser focused on issues related to academic publishing.

and we are hoping for a more balanced discussion around these issues going forward.

dear lord let us keep our embargo.

Society publishing is changing, and APS journals will continue to evolve with those changes. Currently, articles reporting on US federally-funded research findings become freely available 12 months after publication. A sudden change in that policy by executive order would take away APS’s ability to approach these changes in a manner that best serves our members, our diverse field, and our community, and delivers high-quality science.

Blah blah blah blah blah.