Institutions require validation for the legitimacy of scientific endeavors. The established method for establishing legitimacy is the competitive, peer-reviewe

Institutions require validation for the legitimacy of scientific endeavors. The established method for establishing legitimacy is the competitive, peer-reviewed scientific paper. Which publications are the most prestigious? Those that have the most rigorous processes, best editors, careful reviewers and respected authors. Does this cost money? Yes. Should readers have to pay for it? No. Scientific institutions and the scientists who work for them are the financial beneficiaries of the scientific publication system. The benefit from publishing in Nature or JAMA goes to the owners of the IP. It is fundamental to their business development. Make scientific institutions pay to play, just like a patent application. Then open up free access to everyone, and watch innovation grow exponentially.