The CODATA Global Information Commons for Science Initiative

Conveners: Chunyan Wang, Professor of Intellectual Property Law, Renmin University of China, CHINA, and Paul F. Uhlir, Director of International Scientific and Technical Information Programs, The National Academies, USA

CODATA, together with the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Science Commons, and other ICSU groups and international scientific umbrella organizations is developing the Global Information Commons for Science Initiative (GICSI). GICSI is a multi-stakeholder initiative arising from the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in November 2005. It has the overall goal to accelerate the development and “scaling up” of global open-access scientific data and information resources using “common use” licensing approaches. Specific objectives are to:

(1) Improve understanding and increase awareness of the societal and economic benefits of easy access to and use of scientific data and information, particularly those resulting from publicly funded research activities;

(2) Identify and promote the broad adoption of successful institutional and legal models for providing open availability on a sustainable basis and facilitating reuse of scientific data and information;

(3) Encourage and coordinate the efforts of the many stakeholders in the world’s diverse scientific community who are engaged in devising and implementing effective means to achieve these objectives, with particular attention to developing countries.

All three objectives will be promoted through the construction of an online “ open access knowledge environment”, as well as by targeted projects.

Common Use Licensing of Scientific Data and Information

“Common use” licensing of digital data and information is increasingly used by the scientific community and other information sectors throughout the world. Common use licenses are private contracts, enforceable through national intellectual property laws, that allow open access to and encourage broad uses of creative works with only “some rights reserved”. This major session will present the Science Commons project and its data and information licensing approaches, an overview of the CODATA Global Information Commons for Science Initiative and its planned activities related to the study and promotion of common-use licensing, and the status of common use licensing in China . The three overview presentations will also allow for extensive discussion with the session participants.