infoJustice

Abstract: Surveys of scholars in the science and health fields have identified high journal prices to be one of many impediments to the writing and publishing of new works. One possible solution to this problem is the expansion of copyright exceptions that allow unauthorized access to copyrighted works for the purpose of conducting further research. This paper tests the link between copyright exceptions for researchers and the publishing output of health and science scholars at the country-subject level, using data on change in copyright law from the PIJIP Copyright User Rights database. It finds that scientists residing in countries that implement more robust research exceptions to copyright published more papers and books in subsequent years. It further finds that greater access to the internet has expanded scholarly output without diminishing the role of copyright exceptions. This paper hypothesizes that research exceptions should carry greater weight in the Global South, but the data does not support this.

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