[open-government] Open Data API?

Thu Aug 18 12:16:34 UTC 2011

Awesome that answers all of my questions, many thanks.

> On 18 August 2011 12:45, Neil McEvoy <neil at mcevoy.biz> wrote:
>>
>>> Now exactly sure what you mean by this question. Data coming from an
>>> API isn't different from data coming from, say, a static file (the
>>> only difference might be in the amount of data ...)
>>>
>>> Rufus
>>
>> I assumed the same, but I know nothing about Open Data licences so I
>> just
>> wanted to be sure.
>
> The default answer I think is: APIs are no different. You can use a
> standard data license such as one from http://opendatacommons.org/ for
> API data as well as static data.
>
>> I guess the critical factor is the fact an API is intended for write as
>> well as read. Independent developers being able to write data back to
>> the
>> systems seems like a whole new ball game?
>
> I think it depends. Many APIs are read-only, and people can submit
> data "patches" to non-API data just as they can write over an API
> though the process is probably a bit more cumbersome at the moment.
> Obviously if you have people contributing over the API you should make
> sure your sign-up terms for an API key include a statement that they
> either assign (data) rights to the project collecting the data or that
> they agree to license under the relevant license you have chosen.
>
> Rufus
>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Co-Founder, Open Knowledge Foundation
> Promoting Open Knowledge in a Digital Age
> http://www.okfn.org/ - http://blog.okfn.org/
>

-- 
Neil McEvoy
Founder
Cloud Best Practices Network
http://mcevoy.biz