ACM signs anti Open Access letter

> As noted above, we have learned that the Administration may be preparing to step into the private marketplace and force the immediate free distribution of journal articles financed and published by organizations in the private sector, including many non-profits. This would effectively nationalize the valuable American intellectual property that we produce and force us to give it away to the rest of the world for free.

Breathtaking hubris at work here. If the intellectual property was produced with taxpayer money, it was already nationalized from the moment it was created. These rent-seekers aren't providing value, they're putting a fence around public property and charging admission.

Truly puzzling how that letter neglects to mention none of a scientific journal's income goes to the researchers, but instead tries to blur the line between research and publishing, making it seem like research will suffer, despite deriving no profit from publishing.

Perhaps someone should tell them they have their facts confused, and that they should add some clarifying language to their letter.