Birmingham, 9 March 2005

1
Re-using public sector information Directive
98/2003 and the EU perspective
Luis Ferrão European Commission

• Birmingham, 9 March 2005

2
Public sector information

• Public sector bodies are main producers of
  information
• Geographic info, traffic data, legal info etc.
• More and more of this information is available
  online
• Improves communication between administration and
  citizens/companies
• Public sector information is also an important
  economic resource

3
What is at stake?

• PSI is a prime content resource
• Barriers at European level
• Disadvantages vis-à-vis US
• Some countries move ahead, others do not
• The UK situation

4
The barriers
Difficulties to make European products

• Lack of clear rules and policies
• Mindset public sector bodies
• Unfair competition
• Lack of transparency
• High charges

5
The different phases

• Green Paper 1999
• 2001 Communication
• Coherent set of measures
• Projects, PSI-group
• The directive, adopted Nov. 2003

Can we find a European way?
6
The Directive

• Minimum harmonisation to facilitate cross-border
  use
• Transparency of conditions
• Avoid abuse of market power
• Non-discrimination
• Clear procedures
• Lists of assets, online licenses

7
Some issues

• Market legislation, not freedom of information
  legislation
• Intellectual property rights of public sector
  bodies
• Charges
• Practical burden on administrations

Also discussions within MS
8
The outlook

• Transparency, fair competition ? ? downward
  effect on charges
• First time legislation in some MS
• Speed up developments in others
• Review clause
• Recitals go beyond legal obligations

Change of culture in public sector
9
What will happen next?

• Implementation by 1 July 2005
• Role of the Commission
• Study on Exploitation of PSI benchmarking of EU
  framework conditions
• Review of the directive in 2008

10
Conclusion

• PSI a major component of the content market
• Barriers prevent full economic social impact
• Directive will
• create minimum legal security
• level playing field for cross-border re-use
• stimulate investment
• A rapid and solid transposition will help

11
To know more
www.cordis.lu/econtent/