Banned By Gaussian

BannedByGaussian.org is a new website which draws attention to one of the biggest offenders against open, verifiable scientific software. Gaussian, Inc. has instituted a very troubling practice of “banning” the use of their quantum chemistry software at institutions which employ quantum chemists who have contributed to competing scientific codes. They have also been known to ban research groups for publishing competetive timing information.

Here at OpenScience.org, we feel that the practice of banning scientists from using particular scientific codes is an assault on the open exchange of scientific information. Science should be above all verifiable and banning skeptics from using your program prevents inquiry and verfication. Therefore, we would urge all users of Gaussian to switch to one of the competing codes. In fact, we urge all scientists in this important field to release their code under one of the Open Source licenses.