Re:Ask HN: Why aren't scientific journals free on the web?
by mbreese on Sunday December 05, 2010 @08:55PM
(#1973496)
I have no direct knowledge of the cost breakdown for organizations that publish journals, but I could see how the journal could be the money maker for the organization that then allowed them to perform other duties (lobbying, education, etc... ).
My only point is that a print publication could still have the purpose of being a "money maker" and the publisher still be a non-profit.
Please note that my comment regarding non-profit status is a response to the claim that the purpose of scientific journals "is to make money". If this claim is true, that their purpose is in fact to make money, then they are fraudulently representing themselves to tax authorities when they claim to be non-profit organizations.