The response reiterates the Royal Societys support for the recommendations of the InterAcademy Panel that electronic access to journals should be free of charge on publication to scientists in developing countries and within one year to the rest of the world.
Finally, the response highlights the vital role that Learned Society (not-for-profit) publishers play in the scientific community in using their publishing surplus not only to support and fund scientists and engineers but also to undertake science communication and public dialogue programmes, to promote science education and to interact with industry. It suggests that a number of the smaller Learned Societies would be unlikely to survive without their publishing income and the work of the larger ones would be reduced.