Nature Publishing Group Announces Change to Self-Archiving Policy

As of January 2005, authors of original research papers published by Nature Publishing Group (NPG) will be encouraged to submit the authors version of the accepted, peer-reviewed manuscript to their relevant funding bodys archive, for release six months after publication. In addition, authors will also be encouraged to archive their version of the manuscript in their institutions repositories (as well as on their personal web sites), also six months after the original publication.

(PRWEB) January 12, 2005 -- As of January 2005, authors of original research papers published by Nature Publishing Group (NPG) will be encouraged to submit the authors version of the accepted, peer-reviewed manuscript to their relevant funding bodys archive, for release six months after publication. In addition, authors will also be encouraged to archive their version of the manuscript in their institutions repositories (as well as on their personal web sites), also six months after the original publication.
    
This policy has been developed to extend the reach of scientific communications, and to meet the needs of authors and the evolving policies of funding agencies that may wish to archive the research they fund. It is also designed to protect the integrity and authenticity of the scientific record, with the published version clearly identified as the definitive version of the article.

Nature was launched in 1869, and has always aimed to communicate science not only between scientists but also to the broader public. For many years Nature has worked closely with the worlds press to ensure scientific discoveries can be communicated as widely as possible. Nature has always aimed to provide analysis and background information to present science in context, both through its award winning daily free news service news@nature.com, and through review and commentary material.

NPG recognizes the balance of rights held by publishers, authors, their institutions and their funders (Zwolle Principles, 2002), and has been a progressive and active participant in the recent debates about access to the literature (see http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/accessdebate/). In 2002, NPG was one of the first publishers to allow authors to post their contributions on their personal web sites, by requesting an exclusive license-to-publish, rather than requiring authors to transfer copyright. We see this most recent development as another step forward in the evolution of scientific communication on the Internet. We plan to actively support the self-archiving process, and we will take further steps in the coming months to facilitate this. We will continue to work with our authors, readers, subscribers, and site license holders to develop our policies, publications and services in line with their needs. By recognizing the rights and needs of all relevant stakeholders, we hope to ensure that NPG enhances its position as the worlds highest impact publisher.

Nature Publishing Group (NPG) is a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd, dedicated to serving the academic and professional scientific community. NPG's flagship title, Nature, is the world's most highly-cited weekly multidisciplinary journal and was first published in 1869. Other publications include Nature research journals, Nature Reviews, Nature Clinical Practice, and a range of prestigious academic journals, including society-owned publications.

NPG is a global company, with headquarters in London and offices in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Tokyo, Paris, Munich and Basingstoke. For more information, please go to www.nature.com.

Contact details:
David Hoole            
Nature Publishing Group
The Macmillan Building
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London, N1 9XW, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7843 4727

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