How can you lead the Open Access revolution in the USA?

Capitol Hill. Photo (cc) Wyntuition.

If you live in the USA then Bora Zivkovic needs your help. The Senate is considering the FY08 Labor-HHS Bill. It’s of interest because it includes provisions to make NIH funded research available through open access 12 months after commercial publication. Currently the voluntary arrangement means that only 5% of research funded by American taxpayers is available without charge to those taxpayers. This is why the bill is needed.

Not everyone agrees. Senator Inhofe (R-OK) believes that being taxed once is not enough and has filed to amendments to prevent open access to publicly funded research.

Bora would like you to contact your senator if you live in the USA and tell them that you’d like to have access to what you have paid for. It’ll need an email to be sent before close of business Oct 22, 2007. See A Blog Around the Clock for a sample email and more details.