PURPOSE To argue the traditional scholarly journal system is outdated and in need of revamp, and new internet technologies provide opportunities for change unavailable until now. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The four functions of the scholarly journal; registration, awareness, certification and archiving are discussed in turn and alternative ways of undertaking those functions are explored. Barriers to change and ways to overcome these barriers are addressed. FINDINGS The functions of registration and certification are already met with an open peer review system in place for some high profile journals. Recently developed searching and browsing facilities give academics access to a greater proportion of scholarly literature, providing a more efficient awareness function than traditional journals. The function of archiving is not being adequately addressed by commercial publishers, and the steps being taken by institutional repositories to that end are more sustainable. The fundamental tenet of science as part of the public domain is being eroded by commercial gain, and a move away from the traditional scholarly system can reverse that trend. Barriers to change are; the publisher’s commercial imperative to maintain the status quo, the academy’s reluctance to change, and the reward system. However, recently both publishers and academics have demonstrated a willingness to try new systems. The barrier of institutional reliance on metrics poses the greatest threat to change. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper builds on an historical background of arguments dating back to 1926, but uses up-to-date examples of ways publishers are moving towards change. The paper will inspire debate in the scholarly community.