Are retraction notices sufficient?

[mschubert]

I stumbled across this paper, which has a big red RETRACTED notice.

I think it's good that JOSS labels papers it retracts clearly while still acessible. However:

• If I'm a potential user of the software, I have no idea if the software behind the paper is still usable or I should avoid it (e.g. published in another journal - fine to use, vs.: grave implementation errors - do not use); it would be nice to add a statement why the paper was retracted, to make this clear to potential users
• What happens if a software package becomes obsolete, and user should move to another package instead? Is there a way to file a notice as well? (this would be different to a retraction of course)

[arfon]

Hi @mschubert - thanks for posting this. We're still in the process of exactly understanding what's going on with this package. tl;dr - there was a DMCA takedown on the repository due to copyright infringements.

it would be nice to add a statement why the paper was retracted, to make this clear to potential users

We plan to add a more detailed notice to the site once we fully understand what went on here.

What happens if a software package becomes obsolete, and user should move to another package instead? Is there a way to file a notice as well? (this would be different to a retraction of course)

This might be a useful feature but it's not something we've thought much about to be honest :-)

[arfon]

OK, the site now links to the DMCA takedown notice for this submission: