Public sector information and re-use – where is the UK now?

an article by Stephen Saxby in International Journal of Private Law Volume 1 Number 3/4 (2008)

Abstract
Information produced by the government does of course serve a number of purposes. First, it should inform the government so as to generate sound policy decisions and effective strategies. Second, through a variety of media, it should provide the general public with information to enable individuals to engage with government services and to deliver personal data that they are obliged to provide. Access to a wide variety of public sector information (PSI) is also important for individuals and businesses. In the UK, this has been under debate for many years through analysis of Crown copyright regulation. Current policy, as interpreted by HM Treasury, continues to argue that those wishing to exploit or add value to PSI for commercial purposes should at least contribute something to the cost of its supply. This paper traces the process of development of the policy through to the present.

Why? The information is there anyway, I’m not asking you to do anything so why should I pay you for doing nothing?

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