t0p
October 26th, 2011, 03:51 PM
Below I'm reproducing an email I got from openrightsgroup.org today. Time is running out - consultation date expires tomorrow! Please let the government know what you think of ownership of public data.
One day left to demand real open government data
The Government's consultation on a new “Public Data Corporation” could lock away key datasets behind a paywall - accessible only those who can afford to pay.
Data from Ordnance Survey, the Met Office and the Land Registry could be barricaded from public access, a strong step away from what the government promised under their Open Data and transparency objectives.
Yet we know that weather and maps are vital if you want to make real use of other data sets. Imagine trying to map crime without a map, or trying to understand farming without weather data. If core weather and map data is only available at a price, then innovation, open data and government transparency will be damaged for years to come.
The first consultation on the PDC is out now, and it's vital that we show how important free public data is to all of us. Act now to submit your own consultation response. (http://ernestmarples.com/)
The proposed PDC is fundamentally incompatible with the Open Data Principles endorsed by government. The Right to Data must also reach the type of data under consideration in the PDC, particularly the core data behind maps, weather and the land registry.
This process is under attack from established interests, fighting to keep the status quo and refusing the opening up of government data. None of the options suggested in the consultation are to public benefit.
Now is the time to make it clear that this isn’t acceptable — before a precedent is established that will be much harder to change later.
We are asking that you write a brief, but personal response. Please respond to the Consultation and make it clear - that core public data should be open data. (http://ernestmarples.com/)
Jim Killock
Executive Director, Open Rights Group
One day left to demand real open government data
The Government's consultation on a new “Public Data Corporation” could lock away key datasets behind a paywall - accessible only those who can afford to pay.
Data from Ordnance Survey, the Met Office and the Land Registry could be barricaded from public access, a strong step away from what the government promised under their Open Data and transparency objectives.
Yet we know that weather and maps are vital if you want to make real use of other data sets. Imagine trying to map crime without a map, or trying to understand farming without weather data. If core weather and map data is only available at a price, then innovation, open data and government transparency will be damaged for years to come.
The first consultation on the PDC is out now, and it's vital that we show how important free public data is to all of us. Act now to submit your own consultation response. (http://ernestmarples.com/)
The proposed PDC is fundamentally incompatible with the Open Data Principles endorsed by government. The Right to Data must also reach the type of data under consideration in the PDC, particularly the core data behind maps, weather and the land registry.
This process is under attack from established interests, fighting to keep the status quo and refusing the opening up of government data. None of the options suggested in the consultation are to public benefit.
Now is the time to make it clear that this isn’t acceptable — before a precedent is established that will be much harder to change later.
We are asking that you write a brief, but personal response. Please respond to the Consultation and make it clear - that core public data should be open data. (http://ernestmarples.com/)
Jim Killock
Executive Director, Open Rights Group