Springer Nature has removed two studies by Max Planck
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Springer Nature removed two Max Planck studies and still sells the empty PDFs.
The article reports that Springer Nature retracted two studies by physicist Max Planck, posting blank pages with the note "This article has been withdrawn due to article violation" instead of standard retraction markings, while continuing to sell the empty PDFs for $39.95. The papers are in the public domain. The retractions occurred in 2011.
What commenters are saying
Commenters overwhelmingly condemn the practice as emblematic of a broken for-profit publishing system, noting that the papers are public domain and that public funds often cover fees while reviewers are unpaid. Some highlight the irony of selling blank pages. Others suggest the system persists due to prestige-based incentives and academic KPIs. A few discuss historical ties between Springer and Max Planck entities.