Commission publishes Communication

Source: European Commission (EC)

EC publishes Communication on the Re-use of Public Sector Information – Review of Directive 2003/98/EC

Luxembourg: 7 May 2009

The European Commission has published the Communication on the Re-use of Public Sector Information – Review of Directive 2003/98/EC. The communication is supported by a staff document. The Communication has been published in 22 European languages.

The Communication states the Action plan as

"Summary of key points for action

Member States:

  • Ensure full and correct implementation and application of the Directive
  • Terminate exclusive arrangements as prescribed by the Directive
  • Apply licensing and charging models that facilitate the re-use of PSI
  • Ensure fair competition between public sector bodies and re-users

In addition, Member States are encouraged to promote the identification and ready availability of information resources and to set up quick and inexpensive conflict resolution mechanisms.

Commission:

  • Closely monitor implementation and application of the Directive
  • Scrutinise exclusive arrangements (2009-10) in particular
  • Analyse the economic case for marginal costs
  • Encourage exchange of good practices (proactive re-use policies, public tasks, conflict resolution)
  • Further review by 2012, accompanied where appropriate by a proposal for amendments to the Directive

Title:

Brussels, 7.5.2009
COM(2009) 212 final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Re-use of Public Sector Information – Review of Directive 2003/98/EC –[SEC(2009) 597]
Pages: 11

Contents of the Communication

1. INTRODUCTION
2. RE-USE OF PSI FOR INNOVATION AND GROWTH
3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PSI DIRECTIVE
4. IMPACT AND SCOPE OF THE PSI DIRECTIVE
4.1. Changes brought about by the Directive
4.2. Studies and consultations confirm the impact of the Directive
4.3. Scope of the Directive
5. WHAT ACTION NEXT?

  1. Full implementation and application of the PSI Directive
  2. Terminating exclusive arrangements
  3. Charging
  4. Facilitating re-use
  5. Ensuring fair competition between public sector bodies and re-users
  6. Conflict resolution

6. CONCLUSIONS

Brussels, 7.5.2009
SEC(2009) 597
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
Accompanying document to the
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the re-use of Public Sector Information – Review of Directive 2003/98/EC – [COM(2009) 212 final]
Pages: 36

Contents of Staff Working Document

1. Introduction

2. Public Sector Information
2.1. Economic aspects
2.2. PSI and Web 2.0
2.3. PSI as a driver of innovation and sustainable growth

3. The Public Sector Information (PSI) Directive
3.1. Key provisions
3.1.1. Clear procedures to deal with requests for re-use
3.1.2. Upper limit for charging
3.1.3. Transparency of conditions applicable to re-use and means of redress
3.1.4. Obligation to avoid discrimination between market players in the conditions for reuse
3.1.5. Prohibition of exclusive arrangements, with the exception of the exclusive rights necessary for the provision of a service in the public interest

4. Transposition of the Directive
4.1. Different approaches to implementation
4.2. Delays in implementation, revised laws
4.3. Complaints, infringement procedures

5. Results of Member State and stakeholder public consultation on the review of the Directive
5.1. Results of the Member State consultation on the review of the Directive
5.2. Results of stakeholder consultation on the review of the Directive

6. Evaluation of the scope and impact of the Directive
6.1. Impact of the Directive
6.1.1. Increase in re-use of PSI
6.1.2. Effects of the principles applied to charging
6.2. Scope of the Directive
6.2.1. Cultural institutions
6.2.2. Educational institutions
6.2.3. Public service broadcasting institutions
6.3. Re-use of Commission information
6.3.1. Identify, publish, promote – strategy
6.3.2. Examples of re-use of Commission information

7. Follow-up to implementation
7.1. National PSI bodies/dispute settlement bodies
7.2. Licensing policy
7.3. Exclusive deals/arrangements
7.4. Public task
7.5. Cooperation PSIH – Re-users
7.6. Technological issues

8. Overview of relevant European and international PSI-related initiatives
8.1. Bilateral contacts, PSI expert group
8.2. Awareness-raising actions and studies under the eContentplus/CIP programmes
8.3. Associated Community initiatives
8.3.1. SEIS – Shared Environmental Information System
8.3.2. INSPIRE Directive
8.4. International activities (OECD)