If (a) or (b) or .... isn't a Diamond Open Access journal, what do you call
it?

Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe
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On Thu, Oct 16, 2025, 9:34 AM Ulrich Herb <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Dear Giovanni,
>
> thanks so much, I also really struggle with the fuzzy and somehow moving
> definition of what DOA means. At least here in Germany, there are several
> interpretations around:
>
>
>    1. non-APC based Gold OA, not necessary CC BY licensed
>    2. non APC based Gold OA AND CC BY licensed
>    3. a + non-commercial (of confused with non-profit)
>    4. b + non-commercial (as confused with non-profit)
>    5. c + scholar-led (whatever that means, one could consider outlets
>    operated by learned societies as scholar-led, but many societies are
>    publishers that charge hefty fees)
>    6. d+ scholar-led (whatever that means, one could consider outlets
>    operated by learned societies as scholar-led, but many societies are
>    publishers that charge hefty fees)
>    7. a OR b OR c OR d OR e OR f + community-owned (what ever that means)
>
>
> I am following the discussions about OA since 2001 and remember the times
> when we used the term “platin” for what is today called “diamond” and I
> think the definition or better description of what DOA means has become
> more and more complicated (so it's imho really hard for anyone outside the
> OA community to follow) and moved from a, so most people within the OA
> community (not necessarily me) think today that DOA is more or less the
> combination f + community-owned from the list above, whereas still most
> scientist do not know what DOA means or think it is represented by the
> combinations a or b.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Ulrich
>
> *Dr. Ulrich Herb*
>
> Publication and Research Support / Head
> Open Access Coordination Office in Saarland / Head
> *Saarland University and State Library*
> Mailing address: P.O. Box 15 11 41 | 66041 Saarbrücken | Germany
> Visitor address: Campus B1 1 | 66123 Saarbrücken | Germany
> T: +49 681 302-2798
> [log in to unmask]
> www.sulb.uni-saarland.de
> ------------------------------
> *Von:* OpenCafe-l <[log in to unmask]> im Auftrag von Giovanni
> Salucci <[log in to unmask]>
> *Gesendet:* Donnerstag, 16. Oktober 2025 16:46
> *An:* [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> *Betreff:* [EXTERN] [OPENCAFE-L] What is the true definition of a Diamond
> OA Journal?
>
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Until now, the usual definition of a Diamond OA Journal has referred to
> publishing without costs for either readers or authors, and without
> implications for ownership.
>
> For example, see this recent article on The Scholarly Kitchen:
> https://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/10/15/diamond-dreams-unequal-realities-the-promise-and-pitfalls-of-no-apc-open-access/
>
>
>
> However, in the European Discovery HUB Project (
> https://www.craft-oa.eu/operational-diamond-oa-criteria-for-journals/), a
> new element appears that significantly changes this definition — the
> requirement of community ownership of the journal.
>
>
>
> So my question is: what is the true, current definition of a Diamond OA
> Journal?
>
>
>
> Thank you for considering this topic of discussion.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Giovanni Salucci
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------
>
>
> Università degli Studi di Firenze.
>
> Docente a contratto Laboratorio editoria digitale.
>
>                            Dipartimento di Lettere e Filosofia
>
>
>
>
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