Recently, the European Commission initiated the process of revision
of the European Directive on Re-use of Public Sector Information.
One
of its main objectives is to provide a general authorisation to re-use
to citizens and businesses who want to make use of public sector
information for the creation of new services, generating economic
activity and enhancing the transparency.
The European Commission proposal of a revised Directive is certainly bold and extends the current framework. However,
it has not defined a common European OpenData license which should by
applicable to all European Public Administrations.
The
creation of a single public information re-use space in Europe requires
much more, it requires a common European OpenData license applicable to
all data generated by European public administrations.
This
is possible. Royal Decree 1495/2011, approved by the Government of
Spain, provides an example of how a simple legal notice serves as an
open data license applicable in the public sector – this sets an
easy to follow roadmap for implementation in Europe.
- First, define a European OpenData license compatible with the principles of information re-use without further conditions.
- Second, set a transitional period after which the license is associated with all information generated by the public sector in the European Union.
- Third, provide for the compulsory publication of such license in all public administration websites giving legal certainty to all European infomediary entrepreneurs and citizens wishing to make use of the information.
Right now the European Commission and Member
States are developing the new directive, it is time that WE the OpenData
community get our voice heard in Europe. WE ask the European Commission
and the European Parliament to include a common European OpenData
license and a clear deadline for adoption by all Member States in the
revised Directive.
We cannot miss this golden opportunity in tapping the new gold of public sector information!
A great point Andres! It is far better to begin as we should mean to go on than attempt to do things after separate nations have started doing their own! I do know that representatives from the UK Cabinet Office meet with colleagues in Europe to discuss standards, perhaps this could be some of them?
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