An antitrust class action filed in the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) is challenging major academic journal publishers over their “unpaid peer review rule.” The complaint, filed by lawyers from Lieff Cabraser, alleges that these publishers “essentially agreed to hold the careers of scholars hostage” by forcing them to provide peer review services without compensation. This practice, the complaint asserts, violates the Sherman Act by creating an illegal conspiracy that unfairly exploits academic labor.
The claim suggests that this unpaid peer review work, essential for academic publication and career advancement, is being extracted under coercive conditions. The lawsuit contends that this practice restricts competition in the academic publishing market, which could have wider implications for how the industry operates moving forward. For further details, the complete article is available here.