Embargo (academic publishing)

In academic publishing, an embargo is a period during which access to academic journals is not allowed to users who have not paid for access (or have access through their institution). The purpose of this is to ensure publishers have revenue to support their activities,^[1] although the impact of embargoes on publishers is hotly debated, with some studies finding no impact^{[citation needed]} while publisher experience suggests otherwise.^[2][3] A 2012 survey of libraries by the Association of Learned, Professional, and Society Publishers on the likelihood of journal cancellations in cases where most of the content was made freely accessible after six months suggests there would be a major negative impact on subscriptions,^[4] but this result has been debated.

Various types exist:

• A 'moving wall' is a fixed period of months or years.
• A fixed date is a particular time point that does not change.
• A current year (or other period) is setting a time point on Jan. 1 of the current year, so that all material earlier than that is available. Although fixed during the year, it will change each year.