FULL DISCLOSURE: I have an essay slated for publication with Vernon Press in 2019 (the piece forms part of an essay collection on censorship in early modern England). Some scholars have confounded Vernon Press, an independent academic publisher, with Vernon Innovative Publishing, which is listed as a predatory publisher in "Beall's List of Predatory Journals and Publishers." Vernon Press's reputation is probably suffering by association, and the editorial staff is, perhaps, trying to scour any defamatory suggestion that the two presses are affiliated. I hope that helps.

If I write:"In my whole life, I have never been approached by a legitimate publisher. It works the other way around: As a researcher, you choose a publisher based on their track record of journals on your physical library shelf or virtual library subdirectory" then it may be conveniently construed by lawyers that I am defaming any legitimate publishers who decide to be proactive.

Thanks for your input. I fully disagree, but any answer will help to spread this information to other researchers so more and more people will learn how this particular publishing house is trying to persuade everybody that they are legit. Good job!

You disagree with the take-down by ResearchGate? They have to avoid breaking the law. I predict this post will be taken down in two months. Why not rather put up a generic question: Why_does_Research_Gate_block_discussion_about_Predatory_Publishers?

Sure, we are breaking the law by talking about our publishing experiences and positions towards different publishers. Sir, if you have any conflict of interest, you have to acknowledge it with every post.

I am neutral as beige. But I am anti every predatory publisher. I am not breaking a law. My publisher (RG) was accused. The reality is that ResearchGate has to be legal, and comply with the takedown.

Please post a new question such as: "What is the first sign of a predatory publisher?" I will help you and reply.

OK. How can I distinguish between a predatory publisher and a real one? I'm in the final stages of a PhD and received an email from an unnamed publisher asking whether I am interested in writing a book on the topic, Of course I am but not if the publisher lacks credibility. Is there a reasonable way of distinguishing between legitimate publishers and those of poor reputation?

Norma Cohen "Unnamed publishers" is a red flag warning. You are supposed to approach the publisher. Beware of the vanity press and predatory publishers who just take your money and copyright. Let me refer you to Beall's good list of bad publishers: https://clinicallibrarian.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/bealls-list-of-predatory-publishers/

Once I received one threaten notice from RG not to ask questions related to RG in this Q/A platform and suggested to directly ask to RG.

Hom Nath Chalise -- RG (correctly) regards their algorithms as intellectual property and does not allow reverse engineering. They are happy to accept directly suggestions for improvement.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have an essay slated for publication with Vernon Press in 2019 (the piece forms part of an essay collection on censorship in early modern England). Some scholars have confounded Vernon Press, an independent academic publisher, with Vernon Innovative Publishing, which is listed as a predatory publisher in "Beall's List of Predatory Journals and Publishers." Vernon Press's reputation is probably suffering by association, and the editorial staff is, perhaps, trying to scour any defamatory suggestion that the two presses are affiliated. I hope that helps.

Are you sure that Vernon Press and Vernon Innovative Publishing are two different organisations?

I didn't respond to their approach to me at all and havent heard from them since.

I'm absolutely certain that they are different. In fact, in a previous ResearchGate discussion, an editor from Vernon Press explicitly distinguished the two. Unfortunately, that thread seems to have been taken down. Vernon Innovative Publishing appears to publish medical journals, whereas Vernon Press publishes books in the social sciences. The name "Vernon" is simply an unfortunate coincidence. If I were their PR person, I would urge them to change the name of the press.