Elsevier is claiming the market is fast embracing its new abstract and indexing database, Scopus, after signing its 50th licence.

Scopus sales director Jaco Zjilstra, declared: "Securing our 50th license within six weeks of the November launch demonstrates that Scopus is being adopted at a very high pace."

Customers include universities in Spain, India, Lebanon, the US, Australia and Canada, but no high profile British universities have been named. Corporate buyers include two German companies, pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim and Henkel Group, which do extensive R&D.

Several of the Scopus licences have gone to academic institutions and corporates which took part in the Scopus development programme, but not all have signed. Notably, Oxford University and Pepperdine University are not yet cited as licensees.

Elsevier is said to be striking keen deals to stimulate Scopus take-up. But the firm recognises it will have to play a long game to establish its customer base.

A company source told IWR: "Flexible payment terms are in place, which takes into account whether the customer is an existing client. We recognise the need for institutes to continue to evaluate Scopus against their spending priorities and allow time for them to allocate funds according to their own particular financial cycles."