COPE, the Compact for Open-access Publishing Equity

COPE, the Compact for Open-access Publishing Equity, is a commitment that a university makes to the timely establishment of durable mechanisms for underwriting reasonable publication charges for open-access journals.

COPE supports equity of the business models by committing each university to "the timely establishment of durable mechanisms for underwriting reasonable publication charges for articles written by its faculty and published in fee-based open-access journals and for which other institutions would not be expected to provide funds."

Why is there a need for the compact?

"Open-access journals that charge processing fees are at a systematic disadvantage as compared to closed-access journals charging subscription fees, since the latter are subsidized by universities and funding agencies, whereas the former generally are not. To place the two on a more level playing field, universities and funding agencies should subsidize open-access processing fees, just as they do closed-access subscription fees. The compact commits universities to setting up mechanisms for underwriting such open-access journal processing fees."

How can you get your university listed as a signatory?

Harvard and Columbia universities are examples of institutions that have signed on to the Compact for Open-access Publishing Equity. You can see all signatories at http://www.oacompact.org/signatories/; please click here if you would like to get your university listed as a signatory.