FEP reports!
Source: Federation of European Publishers (Fédération des Editeurs Européens). (FEP)
FEP publishes annual report on activities and refers to the review of the PSI Directive
Brussels: 23 May 2008
The Federation of European Publishers (FEP) have published their Annual report titled: Report of for the period MAY 2008 - APRIL 2009 (38 pages). Page 22 of the report refers to the review of Directive 2003/98/EC and states:
“REVISION OF THE DIRECTIVE 2003/98/EC ON THE RE-USE OF PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION
Background
Public bodies produce, collect and share vast amounts of information. Most of this public sector information (PSI) has commercial potential for re-use as the basis for new added value products and services. According to a survey made in 2006, the overall market size for public sector information in the EU is estimated at € 27 billion. Despite its economic value, much of Europe’s PSI is not fully re-used. The EU adopted the PSI Directive in 2003 to overcome barriers that limit the re-use of PSI. The Directive regulates how public sector bodies should make their information available for re-use, and deals with key issues like transparency of what is available and under which conditions, fair competition and non-discrimination between all potential re-users.
- The Commission is reviewing the Public Sector Information Directive with two possible objectives: reinforce the application of the Directive at Member State’s level, making sure reuse of PSI is allowed, for commercial and non commercial purposes, and extend the application to cultural institutions including museums.
- FEP answered to the online Consultation in September 2008 for the purposes of the review of the PSI Directive. The purpose of this online consultation, launched on 16 May 2008, was to gather information from as many sources as possible, including public sector content holders and commercial and non-commercial re-users (universities, NGOs) on their views on different aspects related to the implementation, impact and scope of the PSI Directive.
- FEP made its position paper on public sector information, asking for a better application of the Directive and the examination of the inclusion of cultural institution. Other points stressed by FEP in its paper are the preference that the revised Directive clearly indicates in an article (and not in a recital as is the case currently) that re-utilisation of PSI must only include public domain material. Also the issue of clear indication in the revised Directive that public partner partnerships should not entail exclusive arrangements. Finally, the fact that it is essential for European publishers that the public sector does not compete unfairly with private offers.
- The European Commission launched on 16 October 2008 an infringement proceedings against Poland and Sweden for failing to fully implement rules providing common conditions for the re-use of information produced, collected and shared by public bodies in the EU.
- December 2008 - Replies Online Consultation on the review of the PSI Directive are online.
- On 19 March 2009, the Commission starts infringement against Italy for incomplete and incorrect transposition of the EU Directive on the re-use of PSI Directive.