Comment by s1artibartfast
11 days ago
Maybe we are better off avoiding the analogies.
The public gives them cash for terms of a grant. If those dont include an open access paper, it is unreasonable to demand it after the fact. It certainly doesn't give a right to go take take their papers (or whatever they made).
There's some common-sense understanding of this situation that I'm not sure you're wilfully overlooking or oblivious to. The claim is that it's unjust to blatantly exploit a system that was intended to fund/sustain you, for profit. It's not necessarily illegal behavior since "open access" was not in the terms, but how can it possibly be morally defensible that they have managed to find a way to legally subvert/trick the system for their own benefit? An overly pedantic view of the situation isn't helpful.
Its not subversion or a trick. It is reasonable and functioning as intended.
There was no deception or trick. It was 100% up front and what those involved expected.
There is no moral failing aside from those stealing and spreading outrage.