Digital Agenda: Turning government data into gold
The Commission's proposal today would operate in full respect of rules on the treatment of personal data.
Studies conducted on behalf of the European Commission show that industry and citizens still face difficulties in finding and re-using public sector information. That is to say, open data is largely undeveloped in Europe.
In the important sector of geographical information, almost 80% of the respondents to Commission surveys say that they are prevented from making full use of information held by public bodies. Reasons include high fees, non-transparent rules and practices regarding re-use, a lack of transparency on what type of data is held and by whom, and exclusive licensing agreements which may have the effect of undermining competition.
In its 'Digital Agenda for Europe' the Commission identified the re-use of public sector information, alongside fast and ultra fast internet access, as key to delivering a Digital Single Market.
Directive 2003/98/EC on the re-use of public sector information introduced a first set of measures to make it easier for businesses to obtain access and permission to re-use government-held information. It also brought about a process whereby governmental agencies lowered the fees charged for obtaining the information. Today’s proposal extends access and widens the coverage of the Directive.
More information:
See MEMO/11/891
European Commission Open Data website
Follow Neelie Kroes on Twitter
Contacts : Ryan Heath (+32 2 296 17 16); Twitter: @ECspokesRyan Linda Cain (+32 2 299 90 19) |