This study explores examples of behind-the-scenes work of building a law article on scholarly Open Access (OA) in France. Through a participant observation in a professional association, it traces positions and arguments developed in discussions going on between various stakeholders in a year-long process. The study reveals frictional processes around impact studies which lead to the disruption of the group, and a redefinition of its missions. I suggest considering this discussion group as a space of temporary transactions, where actors were required to discuss and produce knowledge in the frame of a legislative context which was also an experiment.