Thousands of researchers are boycotting scientific journals that do not make their contents freely available on a centralised website within six months of publication.

The boycott organisers, members of an initiative known as the Public Library of Science, sent a letter to 26,000 researchers who support their cause, urging them not to subscribe to, publish in or review for journals that do not provide free access.

But the organisers admit that too few journals have complied for the boycott to take full effect immediately. They suggest that, if necessary, supporters should publish in journals that come closest to meeting its conditions.

Reference: Nature 413, 6 (2001)

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