[OSGeo Africa] EOMag Article on a Free and Open Data Policy for GMES

[Aslam Parker]

FYI
>>> Imraan Saloojee <Imraan.Saloojee at dst.gov.za> 10/22/2012 4:29 PM
>>>
 
Hi,
 
Really interesting set of articles on free data. See the link to
landsat study at the end.
 
Some interesting points related to not having free landsat data 
 
-Would severely restrict data use. The Department of the Interior (DOI)
stopped charging for Landsat data in 2008 and its use skyrocketed,
soaring from 38 to over 5700 scenes per day.4 Imposing charges will
again severely restrict data use. 
 
-Would stifle innovation and business activity that creates jobs.
Increased use is the starting point of value. Free data catalyzes
innovation. It leads to unpredictable applications, products, and
decision-making that requires investigation and data analysis within
specific disciplines.7 The Government*s and taxpayers* return is
downstream of data access. Free data fuels significant business activity
that creates jobs, generates tax revenue, protects property, protects
the environment, and saves lives.
 
-Would cost more than the amount of revenue generated by the charges.
Technology has automated the data request and distribution process to
operate at virtually no cost for fulfilling orders because the internet
cost of filling requests is zero. However, collecting payments incurs
costs unrelated to the data because users incur costs from using
authorized payment mechanisms and DOI incurs costs to invoice, track,
and process payments. 
 
-Would inhibit data analysis in scientific and technical analyses. Free
data availability results in major direct and indirect gains in
efficiency. Data analysis in scientific and technical analyses renders
information that, in turn, more efficiently applies science and
technology to practical problems and issues.
 
Imraan
 
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
From: DATA-SHARING-WG [mailto:DATA-SHARING-WG at LIST.GEOSEC.ORG] On
Behalf Of Alan Edwards (European Commission)
Sent: 11 October 2012 02:34 PM
To: DATA-SHARING-WG at LIST.GEOSEC.ORG
Subject: EOMag Article on a Free and Open Data Policy for GMES
 
Dear Colleagues
 
Please follow this link to access the latest EOMag Electronic
Newsletter: http://eomag.eu/articles/2010/editorial-autumn-2012 
 
This contains an Editorial on a *Free and Open Data Policy for GMES*,
which I hope you will find of interest.
 
In addition, it also makes reference to a recent Landsat National
Geospatial Advisory Committee study on the benefits of keeping free and
open access to Landsat data.  The results of this study may be useful
for the DSWG and out standard presentations on the benefit of data
sharing.
 
Best regards
 
Alan
 
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