Open Access Models
Open Access Models
In the realm of open access, different models are identified by color codes to distinguish various publication pathways.
Over time, a full spectrum of colors has emerged, each representing specific conditions for authors and readers alike.
The three most common paths explained:
First open access publication
First publication in an open access journal is known as the golden road to open access to scientific knowledge. Open Access journals fulfil the criteria of Open Access and are quality-checked by peer review. Access is open worldwide and free of charge. Articles may be freely downloaded, used, copied, printed or distributed, provided the authorship is acknowledged. The costs of publication in these journals are usually borne by the authors or their institutions: publishers of open access journals charge publication fees (APCs) instead of subscription fees, usually in the form of a processing fee per accepted article.
Open Access secondary publication
The so-called Green Open Access route refers to the secondary publication of an article following its initial release in a traditional publisher’s journal.
Secondary publication is unrestricted if the publisher has only been granted a non-exclusive right of use, or if the authors have explicitly reserved the right to publish the work online in parallel.
However, if authors have assigned all rights of exploitation for their articles to the publisher, they are no longer free to decide when or in what form the articles may be made available online. In such cases, the publisher’s consent is required.
Most publishers have therefore issued guidelines specifying whether and how authors may make their works available online as secondary publications, as well as any required embargo periods.
The SHERPA project offers guidance on the policies of individual publishers and journals through the Open Policy Finder. These policies on electronic secondary publication distinguish between preprints (versions prior to peer review or publication) and postprints (versions after peer review or publication). The term 'postprint' often refers to the so-called 'final draft' or the publisher’s galley proof. According to § 38 of the German Copyright Act, the author may reproduce and republish the work elsewhere one year after its initial publication—unless otherwise contractually agreed.
Unfortunately, publishers’ guidelines are often phrased unclear or inconsistently. We are happy to assist our authors in clarifying their rights—please feel free to contact us.
Further information on → Authors' rights
Free Open Access first publication
The Diamond Road or "Platinum Open Access" is a form of the Golden Road, in which no publication fees (APCs) are charged to authors for the first publication in an Open Access journal. Likewise, no costs are transferred to the readers.