OP here. Like most analogies, this one isn't perfect. Napster and Sci-Hub are similar in that they are underground yet widely used platforms for acquiring digit

OP here. Like most analogies, this one isn't perfect. Napster and Sci-Hub are similar in that they are underground yet widely used platforms for acquiring digital content that would otherwise cost money to purchase, but unlike CD's or actual printed journals, cost nothing to replicate. Many academics are specifically downloading papers they otherwise wouldn't have access to via their institution because it is too expensive. And libraries will eventually look for ways to cut expenses and if people aren't clamoring for more subscriptions (because they know they can already get them for free) over time, Elsevier's revenues will decline. There is no need for a death knell. Record companies aren't extinct, but they had to reshape dramatically in part because of the prevalence of pirated music via platforms like Napster.