LAPSI Conference: Comment Universita Bocconi, Milan 5 May 2011

Paul F. Uhlir, J.D.

Director, Board on Research Data and Information National Academy of Sciences Washington, DC [email protected]

www.nas.edu/brdi

LAPSI Conference

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Comparison of some print and digitally networked paradigm characteristics: PRINT PARADIGM GLOBAL DIGITAL NETWORKS (pre) Industrial Age post-industrial Information Age fixed, static transformative, interactive rigid flexible, extensible physical “virtual” local global linear non-linear, asynchronous limited content and types unlimited contents and multimedia distribution difficult, slow easy and immediate dissemination copying cumbersome, not perfect copying simple and identical significant marginal distribution cost near-zero marginal distribution cost single user (or small group) centralized production slow knowledge diffusion quasi private good multiple, concurrent users/producers distributed and integrated production accelerated knowledge diffusion quasi public good

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Principles for deconstruction of print-paradigm PSI models for reconstruction in digitally networked context:

Maximize public good aspects of public sector information (PSI) Avoid monopolies and artificial markets (service, not captured product) Take advantage of near-zero marginal cost for dissemination Allow unrestricted re-use, either through statutory public domain or contractually constructed public domain, with attribution required. Optimize content for automated knowledge discovery tools Maintain characteristics of online PSI that are essential to the democratic process and the progress of society (quality control, transparency, ease of access, non-proprietary formats, long-term preservation, etc.—see OECD Principles and Guidelines on Access to PSI, 2008)

Conclusion: A default rule of open access and unrestricted re-use of most PSI, subject only to legitimate exceptions.

LAPSI Conference Existing public-sector digital commons models and emerging open knowledge environments (OKEs):

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Open-source software movement (e.g., Linux and 10Ks of other programs worldwide); Open data centers and archives (e.g., European Biotechnology Institute); Federated open data networks (e.g., World Data Center System, GEOSS); Open access journals (e.g., > 5500 scholarly journals in DOAJ); Open repositories for an institution’s/ministry’s PSI; Open repositories for publications in a specific subject area (e.g., PubMedCentral in US and UK); Free university curricula and lectures online (e.g., the MIT OpenCourseWare); E -government initiatives (e.g., data.gov.uk, many others worldwide); and Emerging discipline or applications commons, peer production of info, and integrated thematic open knowledge environments (e.g., virtual observatories, wiki encyclopedias, sub-discipline OKEs).

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1. What are the most efficient and effective digital commons models to replace the print system for public sector information? 2. What public (treaties, legislation, and regulation) and private law (licenses, contracts) changes need to be made to optimize access and re-use of PSI? For non copyrightable data versus copyrightable information?

3. What are the full quantitative and qualitative economic and social benefits of digital commons, particularly their network effects?

4. How can we design better incentive and reward mechanisms to encourage the producers and managers of PSI to adopt digital commons models and PSI users to exploit the information?

5. How can we get more sociologists, information economists, information and administrative lawyers, and policy experts to work productively on these and related issues?

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Additional works by the author on this topic (all available freely online):

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Uhlir, P., ed., “Bits of Power: Issues in Global Access to Scientific Data” (NAS, 1997) Uhlir, P. and Esanu, J., eds., “The Role of S&T Data and Information in the Public Domain” (NAS, 2003) Reichman, J.H. and Paul F. Uhlir, “A Contractually Reconstructed Research Commons for Scientific Data in a Highly Protectionist Intellectual Property Environment,” 66 Law & Contemporary Problems 315-462 (2003) Uhlir, P., “Policy Guidelines for the Development and Promotion of Governmental Public Domain Information” (UNESCO, 2004) Esanu, J. and Uhlir, P., eds., “Open Access and the Public Domain in Digital Data and Information for Science” (NAS, 2004) Uhlir & Schröder, “Open Data for Global Science”, Data Science Journal (CODATA, 2007).

Uhlir, P., ed., “The Socioeconomic Effects of Public Sector Information on Digital Networks” (NAS, 2009) Reichman, J.H., Tom Dedeurwaerdere, Paul F. Uhlir, “Designing the Microbial Research Commons: New Strategies for Accessing, Managing, and Using Essential Public Knowledge Assets” (forthcoming, 2012).