An author's encounter with a predatory journal serves as a cautionary tale in academic publishing. Initially responding to an invitation for a review article, the author soon realized the dubious nature of the journal upon receiving an unexpected invoice and evidence of non-existent peer review.
Despite the author's efforts to retract the manuscript via various channels, including certified letters and direct communication with editorial board members, the predatory journal displayed persistent non-compliance. The manuscript intermittently vanished from the journal's website only to resurface in subsequent issues.
Given the absence of a copyright agreement and payment, the author sought advice from COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). COPE suggested pursuing publication in a legitimate journal, accompanied by an editorial note detailing the ordeal. Additionally, the option of legal action was considered to compel the predatory journal's compliance.
Despite encountering hurdles in communication and legal endorsement, the author took decisive action by directly contacting the publisher with a clear ultimatum: remove the article promptly or face legal repercussions. In response, the publisher requested specific details and was notified of impending legal action if the article remained online.
With the threat acknowledged, the author now proceeds to submit the manuscript to a reputable journal, assuaged by the editor's assurance that concerns of duplicate publication have been resolved.
This episode underscores the importance of vigilance against predatory practices in scholarly communication and the significance of decisive action to safeguard academic integrity.