Bits of Power: Issues in Global Access to Scientific Data (1997)

Committee on Issues in the Transborder Flow of Scientific Data
U.S. National Committee for CODATA
Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications
National Research Council
Available from National Academy Press
In print: http://books.nap.edu/catalog/5504.html
On-line: http://books.nap.edu/html/BitsOfPower/

Selected excerpts:

1. From General Guideline section -

   "The value of data lies in their use. Full and open access to scientific data should be adopted as the international norm for the exchange of data derived from publicly funded research. The public-good interests need to be balanced against legitimate concerns for the protection of national security, individual privacy, and intellectual property."

2. From the Recommendations section -

   "1. Governmental science agencies and intergovernmental organizations should adopt as a fundamental operating principle the full and open exchange of scientific data. By "full and open exchange" the committee means that the data and information derived from publicly funded research be made available with as few restrictions as possible, on a nondiscriminatory basis, for no more that the cost of reproduction and distribution."

   "4. All scientists conducting publicly funded research should make their data available immediately, or following a reasonable period for proprietary use. The maximum length of any proprietary period should be expressly established by the particular scientific communities, and compliance should be monitored subsequently by the funding agency."