Innovation and Open Access to Public Sector Information

Abstract

Most speakers at this summit have been looking at open access from the supply side, presenting the points of view of custodians of government information. What might we lob over the fence to whoever is on the other side? So far we have not paid much attention to this demand side - the potential beneficiaries of changed information policies. So I see it as my task to address what I believe is the core rationale for this policy initiative, which is the promotion of innovation and creativity. My perspective on the topic brings together my deep interest in the whole matter of innovation, and my long involvement with the digital content industries. Why do we need to act on this possible policy initiative? I will try to put the question in the context of some conceptual frameworks and models of innovation, and of business models for information and content production. My premise is that data and information – content – is the currency of creativity and innovation. Information is what energises our national innovation system. Governments produce and hold a wealth of information and data.