From: Rick Anderson <[log in to unmask]> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:37:41 +0000 I definitely agree that preprints aren’t as good as the final manuscript. But since the publisher has added value to the final manuscript, it does seem reasonable to me that the publisher be able to impose some kind of embargo on access to that version — especially if the author is able to share the preprint (and therefore the content of the research report) freely. With that in mind, it still does look to me like the net effect of Elsevier’s new sharing policy is greater openness and sharability. But I guess to some degree that evaluation is going to be a subjective matter. --- Rick Anderson Assoc. Dean for Scholarly Resources & Collections Marriott Library, University of Utah Desk: (801) 587-9989 Cell: (801) 721-1687 [log in to unmask] From: David Prosser <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:42:35 +0000 Rick Yes, it does appear that authors can share their pre-prints widely (with some caveats based on individual journals): http://www.elsevier.com/about/company-information/policies/sharing My personal view is that having access to preprints is better than having access to nothing, but not as good as having access to the final manuscript. For some readers I’m sure just having access to the pre-print will be sufficient. And we know that there is great reluctance in some subject areas to sharing preprints - in those cases Elsevier’s new policy will definitely reduce overall sharing. David