From: Bernard Rentier - IMAP <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2012 08:32:32 +0200

To answer Alicia Wise's query, 6 proposals of positive things from
publishers that should be encouraged :

Allow systematically and under no condition and at no cost depositing
the peer-reviewed postprint – either the author's refereed, revised
final draft or — even better for the Publishers publicity — the
publisher's version of record in the author's institutional
repository.

Remove from authors' contracts the need to sign away their rights and
transform it into a "non exclusive license" of their rights.

Agree that by default, part of the rights on an article belong to the
author's Institution if public and/or to the Funding organization, if
public.

Reduce significantly (or at least freeze for 5 years) the purchasing
cost of periodicals, then increase at the real inflation rate,
officially measured in Western countries (1-3 % per year).

Reduce significantly the number of periodical titles published, aiming
for excellence and getting rid of the mediocre title which are bundled
in Elsevier's "Big Deals" and similar "deals" by other publishers.
This would reduce their monopolistic position.

Reward Institutions for the work provided by reviewers, editors and…
authors, either directly or indirectly through lower subscription
costs.

Bernard Rentier