Springer blasts Open Choice criticism

["Hamaker, Chuck" <cahamake@email.uncc.edu>]

http://www.iwr.co.uk/iwreview/1158226

Springer blasts Open Choice criticism

Exclusive: Boss of STM publishing giant defends initiative in hard-hitting
interview with editor of IWR
By Bobby Pickering [20-09-2004]

German STM publishing giant Springer has blasted critics of its Open
Choice initiative, saying that it is essential to "take the emotion out of
the debate" and give authors and customers realistic options.  In an
exclusive interview with IWR, Springer's chief executive, Derk Haank, said
Open Choice was a pragmatic solution that would reveal just how deep the
demand for OA publishing is. "I'd be surprised if in five years' time more
than 5-10% of our articles have been published by author-pays," he
predicted.

...

Open Choice has come in for criticism from OA vendors and bloggers for
being overpriced and not offering 'pure' open access because Springer will
retain copyright. But Haank countered his critics by saying: "Our pricing,
$3,000 (�1,684) per article, is based on a realistic, sustainable model.
People say it's not competitive with PLoS's $1,500 (�842), but that is a
start-up bargain price by a subsidised operation looking to make an
impact. It is unsustainable."  �

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