Brussels, 22/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - On 15 June, the Commission launched a study on the economic and technical evolution of the scientific publication market in Europe, the results of which will be available in 2005. The aim is to determine the conditions necessary for the optimal functioning of the sector, and see how the Commission can help to fulfil them. The study will focus on the broad issues in the current public debate, such as the future of the printed scientific review, risks related to increasing the price of publications in terms of access to information by scientists, open access to scientific results for all and the need to reconcile copyright and the economic interests of publishers.
Europe leads with 41.3% of the world's scientific publications, compared to 31.4% for the USA. As regards the number of references, however, Europe lags behind in most disciplines.