Several European countries, including France in 2016, have introduced a new right into their national laws which allows the author of a scientific article, under certain conditions, to make free use of his (her) paper after a given period of time following its initial publication in a scholarly journal. This so-called secondary publication right provides, in particular, a secure legal framework for green Open Access. Despite some remaining uncertainties about details of application rules and about its short-term impact, this legal right presents evidence of real progress, by strengthening the authors’ position in their relation with publishers and, more generally, by reflecting increased awareness and support of Open Access by policy makers.