This is about two weeks old, but I'm just catching up and thought it relevant to liblicense:
What seems interesting and relevant here is that a variety of powerful influences now surround the academic eco-system, all seeking to shape (I almost said distort) either the work or the public perception of the work of academics to the advantage of the commercial provider.
Now, I suppose we should be grateful that academic work thus shows its value to the world -- we're worth manipulating. (I once heard the CEO of a famous brand of wardrobe accessories describe the firm's comeback from the dead. He was glad when knockoffs started showing up at street markets because it meant the brand was worth knocking off again.) But that's hardly consoling.
My point is just that the 'predatory publishers' argument, among others, makes sense not as a weird anomalous thing that happens in the world of OA but is part of a larger struggle over the meaning and value of what we do.
Jim O'Donnell
Arizona State University