Govt starts consultation for licence use of data it holds

Government today started consultation for establishing a licence allowing use of data available with it under clear guidelines for commercial and non-commercial purpose.
The consultation paper issued by the Department of Electronics and IT said that 'data' is one of the most valuable resources of modern governance, sharing of which enables various and non-exclusive usages for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
"Licences, however, are crucial to ensure that such data is not misused or misinterpreted (for example, by insisting on proper attribution), and that all users have the same and permanent right to use the data," the paper said.
The proposed licence allows access, use, adapt, and redistribute data published under this licence for all lawful and non-exclusive purposes, without payment of any royalty or fee .

The last date for submission of comment is July 25.
According to government sources, users would not be required to apply for licence, per se, but adhere to terms and conditions of the proposed licence document.

"The licence will allow unrestricted use of data with government. The copyright of data lies with government and earlier there were no guidelines permitting use of data by any other entity. The licence will bring clarity in use of data," Software Freedom Law Center Counsel Prasanth Sugathan said.
The government in February 2012 approved National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDASP) to facilitate access to Government owned shareable data and information in both human readable and machine readable forms through a network all over the country.

Though policy facilitated opening of data lying with government, there has been no guidelines on their use.
It becomes problem for entities who have built commercial business model but have no way to prove that they are authorised to use government data.
The licence proposes that user of government data must acknowledge the provider, source, and licence of data by explicitly publishing the attribution statement.
The permit, as per NDASP, bars right to access or redistribute personal information, unauthorised data, logo, official symbol, data which can impact security of nation etc.
"It is a good initiative but somewhere creating a new licence is not required. There are enough framework available globally which can be used for authorising data use like creative commons BYSA. This initiative will start discussion in India around open data policy," India Open Data Association founder member Mrutyunjay Mishra said.