[open-government] Help economic study family history data UK

Tue Feb 1 18:12:34 UTC 2011

Javier

I have been interested in this sector since the early 1980s when I was at
the same time:
Representing the UK in EC and OECD committees on trans-border data flows,
data protection, standards for IT, competition and co-operation;
helping the IT Advisory Panel to prepare its 1984 study on "Making a
Business Of Information"; and
correcting and transferring my ancestors' researches into our family history
to my PC with the help of local archives and the LDS microfiches.

Since then, as you say, 
> This sector has developed its own dynamics around artificially maintained
> data scarcity, and we have found out that short term economic interests 
> will be the main objection to any proposed changes to the status quo. 

The extra-territorial application of US Law is assumed by Americans and
claimed by Congress which is one reason why we not they should decide the
terms of 'open' licenses for the re-use of data collected here by the public
sector. 

At the end of this month, "Who Do Think You Are LIVE" has a big show at
Olympia where you can see just how the industry has grown this century; the
US influence was low key last year. I'll be there again, probably taking a
shift on the FIBIS stand.

The study you propose is much needed in this segment as well as many others.
Much of the value is added to the PSI by volunteers, such as the members of
family history societies, both in transcribing old records and e.g.
translating mediaeval Latin, correcting errors, and collating disparate
sources. This really is a "Big Society" project.

If I can be of any help, let me know either through the OKF channels or
directly (Adrian_R_D_Norman at hotmail.com). 

Adrian

-----Original Message-----
From: open-government-bounces at lists.okfn.org
[mailto:open-government-bounces at lists.okfn.org] On Behalf Of Javier Ruiz
Diaz
Sent: 01 February 2011 14:21
To: open-government at lists.okfn.org
Cc: Nick Barratt
Subject: [open-government] Help economic study family history data UK

Hello

ORG is working with other groups including FreeBMD and OKFN in a project
called the Open Genealogy Alliance to promote open data in the sector of
family history. We will launch publicly at the end of February.

This sector has developed its own dynamics around artificially maintained
data scarcity, and we have found out that short term economic interests will
be the main objection to any proposed changes to the status quo. 

We need to show the missed opportunities and be able to propose alternative
solutions to the financing of archives and volunteer groups by closed
licensing deals with commercial sites.

We are thus looking at the possibility of commissioning a study of the
economics of the UK family history sector in relation to licensing etc. 

One of the classic questions around OGD is the lack of detailed sector
analysis. There have been some good overviews that also look at particular
trading bodies, but not sector analysis. Please correct me and help me find
those!

This study would cover (very rough):

- institutions and data holders 
- voluntary groups 
- commercial websites, magazines, services
- value chain (scanning, transcription, distribution...)
- licensing arrangements and effects
- competition issues around exclusive licenses
- positive effects of introducing an open licensing regime

We would like to know if this is feasible, and then we would need to look at
costs before we go ahead. We would be heavily involved and co-working to get
all the information, this is not an institutional commissioned report but a
tool for campaigning.

Does anyone know of some economics team or bureau that could help here?
EVPSI people? Before you point at Rufus Pollock, he is already helping a bit
on this but cannot take it on.

many thanks, Javier
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