Major publishers sign up to Project Transfer

Two of the UK’s largest academic publishers have signed up to a new code of conduct aimed at improving procedures for journal titles that move from one publisher to another.

Taylor & Francis and Sage became the first publishers to sign up to the code, Project Transfer. The guidelines offer advice for both sides of the deal – the company that previously published the title and the one to which it has moved.

Project Transfer covers issues such as ensuring the journal continues to be accessible online and making sure information like subscriber lists is passed on. Ian Bannerman, managing director at Taylor & Francis Journals , said the code would help in “insulating [the academic community] from the disruption that can occur when journal publishing arrangements change”.

He added: “The Project allows us to agree best practice with our society partners, ensuring that the transfer of a journal does not interfere with academic research. We look forward to seeing other publishers join us in signing up to this code.”

Taylor & Francis, which is the UK’s fourth largest academic publisher and specialises in journals, books and encyclopaedia, signed up to the code in May. A working group within the UK Serials Group, the body for publishing professionals, began looking at Project Transfer in April last year, and the code was formally launched on 8 May.

Nancy Buckley, chair of Project Transfer, told IWR: “We were absolutely delighted that a major publisher like Taylor & Francis would like to align their policies with the code so quickly after the launch.” She said the working group was now investigating how to create a central system to be completed by publishers when titles move between them.