[okfn-discuss] what are the arguments against open data

Tue Oct 8 22:40:03 UTC 2013

This is good. Someone may spend a lot of time developing data, so they should be able to get credit, be in control, get the benefits from the data. I can relate to that.

Govt data is a somewhat different case, in that govt data *should* be open (except for national security or privacy). Even people who use govt grants to create data should go in with the expectation that their data must be open. If the people fund it, the people should have it.

I'd like to hear a little more about challenges to funding if the data are open, though.

But otherwise, it seems difficult to expect people who privately develop data to just open it up to anyone without some compensation, or recognition, or control. That's where we need some kind of business model.

So, are there private business people on this list?

Gene

________________________________
 From: Bob Chen <bchen at ciesin.columbia.edu>
To: Open Knowledge Foundation discussion list <okfn-discuss at lists.okfn.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [okfn-discuss] what are the arguments against open data

(snipped a lot)

1) Scientists and others invest alot of time in creating data and do 
not wish to lose control or lose credit for this investment. Many 
scientists believe that open data allows others to come in and reap 
the benefits (in terms of publications etc.) of their investment in 
the data unfairly. 

2) Those who "own" data are more willing to invest in expanding and 
improving the data. 

3) Even public agencies that generate and distribute data want some 
control over their data.

4) Open data may also undercut other business models that have been 
developed over time to support the necessary investment and 
institutional commitment in data. 

develop and demonstrate strong and sustainable alternative business 
models for supporting the full life cycle of open data. 

Cheers, Bob

*****
Dr. Robert S. Chen
Director, Center for International Earth Science Information Network
  (CIESIN), The Earth Institute, Columbia University
Manager, NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)
P.O. Box 1000, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA
tel. +1 845-365-8952; fax +1 845-365-8922
e-mail: bchen at ciesin.columbia.edu
CIESIN web site: http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu
SEDAC web site: http://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu
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