There is no technical reason why articles cannot either be released as they are edited or held for release according to a pre-determined schedule. Strategy Several methods of distributing issue or individual article files are possible. Files can automatically be sent via e-mail or file transfer to a subscriber list. They can then either be archived for retrieval by Net users or archived in a private journal storage area and distributed on request by journal staff. Another strategy is to send an e-mail announcement of file availability, and let users retrieve files of interest.
Individual libraries can act as local distribution agents.
Until display technologies improve and software for reading electronic information becomes more powerful, it is likely that users will prefer to download and print lengthy articles rather than read them online. Users are likely to prefer pricing schemes that result in predictable costs that can be budgeted for on an annual basis and to resist per-article use charges, especially if these charges vary from article to article. Intellectual Property Rights Existing copyright transfers by authors to print journal publishers, which may or may not be accompanied by payment of page charges, may be emulated in the Net environment. By contrast, e-journal publishers may only require that authors give them the perpetual, nonexclusive right to publish a paper, letting authors retain their copyright. Or, e-journal publishers may allow user ownership of information, subject to copyright restrictions.