2008
Version 2
2008
Version 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Background
to Version 2 of The Dissemination of
Government Geographic Data in
The GeoConnections
program (“GeoConnections”) is a national federally-funded program designed to
link location-based information using the power of the Internet. To develop,
support and deliver the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure, GeoConnections
relies strongly on a broad network of partners who are developing the
capabilities to disseminate geographic data on-line and to access such data
from these partners. An integrated data licensing framework for geographic data
is one of the cornerstones for building these capabilities.
In the Winter of 2005, GeoConnections released version 1 of
The Dissemination of Government
Geographic Data in
Continuous dialogue with government data
licensing practitioners, users and industry highlighted the prevalency of new
distribution models for the dissemination of geographic data, made possible
through the rapid development and technological advances in the field of web-based services, distributed computing and
other user applications. The benefits of these new technological advances on
the dissemination of government geographic data, coupled with changes in
government data dissemination policy mandated an examination of the currency,
relevancy and comprehensiveness of the integrated framework for the licensing
of government geographic data as outlined in the first version of the Guide to Best Practices.
In the Winter of 2007, the GeoConnections
Secretariat revived the DLGWG, enlarged its membership and commenced work on Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices.
B. Methodology
Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices was completed using concurrent, multiple
lines of inquiry involving research and feedback on the currency, relevancy and
comprehensiveness of the integrated framework for the licensing of government
geographic data, as recommended in the initial Guide to Best Practices. These included:
·
feedback
from licensing practitioners in federal departments and agencies;
·
feedback
from users of government geographic data and licensing practitioners in
provincial and municipal governments;
·
feedback
from the geomatics industry; and
·
review
of relevant documents and literature.
Broad-based consultation with government
departments and agencies involved in the production, use and/or licensing of
government geographic data and the geomatics industry informed and guided the
work of the DLGWG and the elaboration and articulation of the integrated
framework for the licensing of government geographic data recommended in this
Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices.
C. Objectives of Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices
This version of the Guide to Best Practices complements the initial version through its
refinement of the integrated framework for the licensing of government
geographic data recommended in 2005. It addresses distribution models that have
emerged or increased in prevalence, including:
·
web-based
distribution models which are appropriate where the stated objective of a
dissemination activity is to promote widest use possible of the licensed
government geographic data, with no restrictions on further distribution. The Guide to Best Practices supports no-fee
web-based distribution of government geographic data, provided it is effected
within the parameters articulated in the recommended model template No-Fee
Unrestricted Use Web-Wrap Licence Agreement.
With respect to web-based distribution on a
fee basis, the Guide to Best Practices
acknowledges the availability, in law, of click-wrap agreements; however, for
policy, contract and risk management reasons, it recommends that, in the
context of an integrated approach to the licensing of government geographic
data, producers of government geographic data wishing to distribute their data
on a fee basis refrain from entering into click-wrap agreements. Rather, it is
advocated that fee-based licence agreements be entered into using traditional
methods; the delivery of the licensed government geographic data may, however,
be done electronically, after signature of the applicable fee-based licence
agreement.
·
the
reseller model is appropriate where the stated objective of a dissemination
activity is to promote widest use possible of the licensed government
geographic data through access to established distribution channels, with
constraints on allowed uses so as to ensure the integrity of the licensed
government geographic data. The fundamental characteristics of the reseller
model are articulated in a model template Reseller Agreement;
·
the
value-added reseller model, which is appropriate where the stated objective of
a dissemination activity is to promote the incorporation of the licensed
government geographic data into value-added products and its distribution
through established channels. This distribution model, appropriate in certain
defined circumstances, is articulated in a model template Value-Added Reseller
Agreement;
·
no-fee
and fee-based distribution models, anchored
in the Unrestricted Use Model and in the End-Use Model. The Guide to Best Practices presents and
discusses how these two models support very distinct dissemination objectives
and require specific contractual provisions;
·
data
sharing between federal departments and agencies, and between federal
departments and agencies and other levels of government. Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices explains what type of documents should
evidence such data sharing arrangements. It recommends two (2) model template
Memoranda of Agreement for use when data is shared between federal departments
and suggests the types of contractual vehicles to be used to evidence
arrangements between the federal government and other levels of government.
Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices replaces the 2005 version through its
treatment of issues that are now at the forefront of matters that are of vivid
interest to government data licensing practioners. For example:
·
it
addresses new federal data dissemination policy, as well as other overarching
governmental policy positions that impact on the dissemination of government
geographic data; and
·
it discusses how the evolutive and transformative nature of geographic
data, compounded with users’ technological sophistication and expectations for
technology-based data distribution have spurred significant industry activity
in a number of areas, including in relation to:
·
metadata
and the development by industry of applications assisting in the development of
metatada for geographic data;
·
web
services; and
· geographic digital rights management
Version 2 of the Guide to Best Practices sets out a revised integrated framework for the four types of government geographic data licensing models most commonly used in Canada - the unrestricted use model, the end-user model, the reseller model and the value-added reseller model. It provides a rationale for appropriate uses, explains how each model builds on common structures, demonstrates their inter-relationships and provides clear guidance to assist licensing practitioners in selecting the most appropriate model and licence agreement. Recommended approaches to fundamental concepts such as ownership of intellectual property, liability, duration and termination are discussed in detail for the benefit of licensing practitioners, and are guided by data dissemination policy directives currently in force across federal departments and agencies.
Acknowledgements
This version of The Dissemination of Government Geographic Data in Canada: Guide to Best Practices is the culmination of extensive discussion within government and with industry on ways to further improve the use and benefit of government geographic data through the refinement of public sector data dissemination objectives and the licensing practices necessary to achieve them.
The GeoConnections Program, and particularly the GeoConnections Policy Advisory Node has supported these discussions since the summer of 2002, first by encouraging the start-up of working groups to discuss and develop a general approach to standard licence agreements; as the work progressed, by supporting the development of a single integrated data licensing framework for use by those involved in the management or licensing of government geographic data, as expressed in Version 1 of the Guide to Best Practices; and by supporting the refinement of Version 1 and the release of Version 2.
While many individuals participated in this process, the contributions of several stand out as having provided key input to the discussions. These include:
· members of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Licensing Practices, established under the auspices of the GeoConnections Policy Advisory Node;
· members of the Working Group Data Dissemination and Licensing, formed
under the Canadian Council on Geomatics; and
· members of the GeoConnections Policy Advisory Node.
To the Reader
The continued refinement of The Dissemination of Government Geographic Data in Canada: Guide to Best Practices is a collaborative process. We rely on the reader's input to suggest progressive improvements to the Guide to Best Practices so that it remains a valuable information asset for the geospatial data licensing community. Please use the Feedback Form provided at Appendix I to propose changes for consideration in the preparation of subsequent versions.
The Guide to Best Practices is intended to be gender neutral. Any references to a particular gender are intended to and shall be construed as including both the masculine and the feminine genders.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1
Context....................................................................................................
10
1.2
Communities
of Practice in Government Geographic
Data Licensing.................................................................................... 12
1.3
Objectives
of The Dissemination of Government
Geographic
Data
in
CHAPTER 2 GEOGRAPHIC DATA IN
SOCIETAL CONTEXT
2.1
Pervasiveness
of Geographic Data in Society......................................... 15
2.2
Socio-Economic
Benefits of Government Geographic Data................... 16
2.2.1
Geographic
Data Used to Support Federal Government
Policies, Programs and
Services............................................. 16
2.2.2
Geographic
Data Used to Support Other Government
Policies, Programs and
Services.............................................. 17
2.2.3
Geographic
Data Used to Foster Economic Growth................ 18
2.3
New
Developments to Support Geographic Data
Dissemination ……… 19
2.3.1
Metadata...................................................................................
19
2.3.2
Web
Services............................................................................
23
2.3.3
Geographic
Digital Rights Management
.............. 25
CHAPTER
3 INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR THE
LICENSING
OF GOVERNMENT GEOGRAPHIC DATA
3.1
Dissemination
of Government Geographic Data.................................... 29
3.2
Integrated
Framework at a Glance.......................................................... 30
3.2.1 Unrestricted Use Model..................................................................
33
3.2.1.1
Model
Template Agreements........................................... 34
3.2.1.2 Case
Scenarios......................................................... 34
3.2.2 End-Use Model..............................................................................
36
3.2.2.1
Model
Template Agreements.......................................... 36
3.2.2.2
Case
Scenarios
37
3.2.3 Reseller Model...............................................................................
38
3.2.3.1
Model
Template Agreement .................................... 39
3.2.3.2
Case
Scenarios................................................................. 40
3.2.4 Value-Added Reseller Model........................................................
40
3.2.4.1
Model
Template Agreement.............................. 41
3.2.4.2
Case Scenario..................................................................
41
3.3
Data Use
Arrangements Between Federal Departments/Agencies........
42
3.3.1
Model
Template Memoranda of Agreement................... 44
3.4 Data Use Arrangements Between
Federal Departments/Agencies and
Other Levels of Government..................................................................
44
3.5 Other
Distribution
Models...................................................................... 45
CHAPTER
4 OVERVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT OF
GEOGRAPHIC DATA DISSEMINATION ENVIRONMENT
4.1
Federal
Frameworks on Dissemination.................................................. 46
4.1.1 Federal Statutory Framework........................................................ 46
4.1.2 Federal Policy Framework.............................................................
48
4.2
Government
Licensing: Fundamentals, Authority and Constraints........ 54
4.2.1 Generalities on Intellectual Property..............................................
54
4.2.2 Object of Copyright Law...............................................................
55
4.2.2.1
Contours
of Copyright Protection................................... 55
4.2.2.2
Derived
Works................................................................ 56
4.2.3 Raw Data is Not Protected Under the Copyright
Act.................... 57
4.2.4 Data Sets as Protected Compilations Under the
Copyright Act.... 57
4.2.5 Particularities of Government Licensing
Activities....................... 60
4.2.5.1
Tenets of
Crown Law...................................................... 60
4.2.5.2
Acquisition
of Intellectual Property by the Crown......... 62
4.2.5.3
Federal
Statutory and Policy Constraints on Disposition
of Crown Intellectual Property.......................................
63
CHAPTER
5 KEY CONCEPTS OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK
FOR THE LICENSING OF GOVERNMENT GEOGRAPHIC DATA
5.1
Common
Approaches..............................................................................
64
5.1.1
Common Approach to Granting Rights to Licensees.................... 64
5.1.2
Common Approach to the Right to Make
Enhancements to Licensed Government
Geographic Data
and
Distribute New
Products......................................................... 69
5.1.3 Common Approach to Ownership
Rights to Enhancements
Made to Licensed
Government Geographic Data.......................... 72
5.1.4
Common Approach to Managing Legal Risk................................. 72
5.1.5 Common Approach to Acknowledgement of
Source
and Incorporation of
Metadata....................................................... 75
5.1.6
Common Approach to Fees and Royalties..................................... 77
5.1.7
Common Approach to Effective Date............................................ 78
5.1.8
Common Approach to Termination and Surviving
Obligations..................................................................................... 79
5.1.9
Common Approach to General Provisions..................................... 80
5.2 Concluding
Observations on Common Approaches............................... 83
5.3 Electronic
Contracting.............................................................................
83
5.3.1 Legal
Developments.......................................................................
84
5.3.1.1 Click-Wrap Agreements..................................................
85
5.3.1.2 Web-Wrap Agreement (Terms of Use)..........................
85
5.3.2 Common
Approach........................................................................
86
CHAPTER
6 THE WAY FORWARD..................................................... 87
REFERENCES..............................................................................................
88
Monographs......................................................................................................
88
Journals, Articles, Reports...............................................................................
89
Web Site References..........................................................................................
90
APPENDICES
– MODEL TEMPLATES
Appendix A: No-Fee
Unrestricted Use Web Wrap Licence Agreement......... 93
Appendix B: Fee-Based
Unrestricted Use Licence Agreement....................... 103
Appendix C: No-Fee
End-Use Restricted Licence Agreement....................... 118
Appendix D: Fee-Based End-Use Restricted Licence Agreement.................. 127
Appendix E: Reseller
Agreement.................................................................... 138
Appendix F: Value-Added
Reseller Agreement.............................................. 154
Appendix G: Unrestricted
Use Memorandum of Agreement.......................... 171
Appendix H: End-Use Memorandum of Agreement………………………... 177
Appendix I: Feedback
Form…………………………………………………. 184
[1] A
group of individuals working on behalf of the GeoConnections Program to advance
discussions on policy related issues.