Elsevier revealed yesterday it has purchased the open access Social Science Research Network (SSRN) for an undisclosed amount. Reactions to the deal have been less than positive, to say the least.

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Twitter (as is its wont) was aflutter with criticism as well. @CreativeCommons offered up a sarcastic response to the news: “Elsevier just bought SSRN, the popular open access repository. What could possibly go wrong?” George Washington University law professor Orin Kerr (@OrinKerr) wrote: “With Elsevier having bought SSRN, we’ll see how many restrictions Elsevier will impose before the professors bail.” And Mark Lemley (@marklemley), William H. Neukom professor, Stanford Law School, wrote: “I want SSRN to survive this transition. But I’m doubtful. Elsevier would be wise to make a binding public commitment to openness.”