[Freegis-list] Re: Comments on your open letter concerning funding and pricing of ge ographic information

[Jan-Oliver Wagner]

[ This is an answer on the EGIP Mailing List crossposted to the FreeGIS
Mailing List ]

On Tue, Jan 07, 2003 at 10:22:39AM +0100, Sandgren Ulf wrote:
>...
> I am convinced that the model for financing and pricing of fundamental
> geographic and property data in Europe - in general terms - is sound and
> fair for all involved parties. However, it is always possible to improve the
> model in order to stimulate an even wider use of geographic information and
> to achieve an optimal distribution of the costs. An example of this is to
> introduce Internet based services where it is free of charge to have a look
> at the data, but you have to pay for downloading different products.
> 
> You seem to be very found of the U.S. system, where it is "free of charge"
>...

the fundamental problem in all these statements is that it discusses
costs rather than freedoms to use the data.

The US data for example are not 'free of charge' - they are free to use!
You may charge for it if you like. You may copy your CDs for free if you like.
Furthermore: You may use the free data for any purpose you like, e.g.
build an application around it, give it away to everyone interested
and perhaps sell services based on this.

Geographic information play an essential role in everybodies life today.
But with a concept as described above (and true for the EU today)
only few have control over these data to use it for gaining
knowledge others can not gain. Nor can the people check the valididy of
statements based on such geographic information. A fundamental
threat to a democratic society.

To achieve measures to ensure freedom in future society, the following
is an important task:

  As a first step, European mapping agencies have to release some
  nation-wide datasets that are of use for various scientifc issues
  and support mapping. They must be released in the highest available
  resolution. A digital river network with all attributes like
  flows appears as a good start to me, but there may be other good ideas.

  With this, the agencies can learn about dealing with Free Geographic
  Data. E.g. there will be feedback on errors, missing stuff and
  updates. This may well lead to a shift in the task of national
  mapping agencies: Moderation, management and quality control of the
  submitted data improvements rather than ditiziing themselves.

  Benefits and problems can be identified if this is tried seriously.
  Structures and procedures will emerge to learn from and perhaps
  a clear vision on how to release and handle further Free Data.

  It will also give companies time to find their place in this
  concept and how they benefit most from it.

Best

	Jan-Oliver Wagner

-- 
Jan-Oliver Wagner               http://intevation.de/~jan/

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