Asking a POI for a paper

[Ceramist]

Hey,

 

So there is this review paper that I am interested in reading. It's by a POI that I have not contacted yet. I am no longer at university (graduated a few months back) and so don't have access to the scientific journals (the university had a subscription). 

Would it be ok to ask the POI for a pdf of the paper or should I try to get it from another source ? Also, would it be ok to ask him for it in the first email itself ?

 

Thanks. 

[TakeruK]

Yes, I think this would be fine. If there are copyright restrictions on how the POI is allowed to distribute the paper, then contacting the POI directly is probably the best way because they can send you preprint or other draft copies that aren't copyrighted. But, generally, the author of the paper gets a lot of freedom on distributing their own work.

[jmu]

It should be fine and a good way to open up discussion with them.