FW: OPEN ACCESS INITIATIVE FROM THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS

[felicity@tou-can.co.uk]

OPEN ACCESS INITIATIVE FROM THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS

The Company of Biologists announces that - from January 2004 - its
journals - Development, Journal of Cell Science and The Journal of
Experimental Biology - will be offering authors the option of "open
access."

In response to the biological community's drive for freedom of access to
scientific research, The Company of Biologists will offer authors the
choice to have their work published free of charge (in the usual way) or
as an author-funded open access paper. Open access is a new mode of
publishing, which removes the subscription barrier and allows all internet
users completely free access to the material. Authors choosing to take
advantage of the open access alternative will be charged a publication
fee, which, as an introductory offer, will be heavily subsidised by the
Company of Biologists.

The Company of Biologists will offer this author-funded publication model
for a trial period of one year. The traditional subscription model will
operate in parallel as part of a hybrid publishing experiment. Authors
will be asked to make the decision as to whether to take advantage of the
open access offer when their papers are accepted. Those choosing the
company's traditional free publication alternative will still benefit from
no page charges, no colour charges, and free access to papers after 6
months.

As a small not-for-profit publisher, The Company of Biologists relies on
subscription revenue to cover its publishing costs and to fulfil its
charitable remit.  However, this experiment with an open access publishing
model is an important development, allowing authors increased flexibility
and choice. The Company of Biologists is dedicated to its continuing
financial support for the community through grants, travelling fellowships
and sponsorship.

For further information visit www.biologists.com/web/openaccess.html

Or write to:  Executive Editor, The Company of Biologists Ltd, Bidder
Building, 140 Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0DL, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)1223 420482
Fax: +44 (0)1223 423353
E-mail: cob@biologists.com

The Company of Biologists - scientific journals for today�s researchers

--------------------------
Felicity Davie
Tou-can Marketing
The Holly
42 Heath Hill Road South
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Berkshire
RG45 7BW
Tel. +44 (0)1344 466600
Fax. +44 (0)1344 466601
E-mail: felicity@tou-can.co.uk
      www: http://www.tou-can.co.uk