Internet time: Open Data and Laws for European citizens

• Author: Carlo Vaccari - Maria Concetta De Vivo - Alberto Polzonetti - Pietro Tapanelli
• Position: PhD student, University of Camerino - Assistant Professor, University of Camerino - Assistant Professor, University of Camerino - PhD student, University of Camerino
• Pages: 817-824

Globalization and Cultural Diversity

817

Internet Time: Open Data and Laws for European Citizens

Carlo Vaccari

1

, Maria Concetta De Vivo

2

, Alberto Polzonetti

3

, Pietro Tapanelli

4

,

Abstract: This article covers three different aspects related to the Internet usage in Europe. The first theme

examines the Open Data phenomenon and the use of Public Sector Information in the interest of the citizens.

In this part we listed the studies that in last years attempted to quantify the PSI market. In the second

paragraph we li st the actions taken by European Commission to develop the PSI market and to use the

“openness” to improve economic growth in Europe. In the final section an overview of the Italian law relating

to the use of the Internet is given, connecting it with the latest developments of European and UN laws on the

usefulness of new technologies for the European digital citizen. The paper provides an overall look at the

studies, actions and European laws regarding the use of the Internet and public data a nd the resulting benefits

for citizens.

Keywords: Open Data; Digital Agenda; Public Sector Information; Digital Rights; European Citizen

1. Open Data for European Growth: how big is PSI market?

When tackling the issue of the contribution that the Public Sector Information (PSI) can make to

economic growth, the first major problem is the evaluation of the potential market for PSI.

Over the years there have been several studies that have assessed the value of PSI with different

methodologies.

1.1. PIRA study

In 2000 the PIRA study (Epractice.eu, 2000) provided the first extensive estimates of the economic

value of PSI. The study identified two main estimates of this value: i) investment value and ii)

economic value.

By “investment value” the study identified the government investment in the acquisition of PSI. In the

PIRA study, the cost of acquiring the information gathered by the public sector provides a lower bound

to the value of PSI.

“Economic value” refers to the part of national income attributable to industries and activities that are

based on the exploitation of PSI (i.e. value added of PSI with respect to the economy as a whole and

private sector expenditure on PSI).

PIRA study is the first to suggest that existing revenue based li censing models may be operating not

only against private sector and consumers interests, but also against the financial interests of

1 PhD s tudent, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Car ceri 9, Camerino (MC), Italy, tel +39 0737 402505, fax +39

0737 40632525, Corresponding author: carlo.vaccari@unicam.it

2 Assistant Professor, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino (MC), Italy, tel +39 0737 402505, fax

+39 0737 40632525

3 Assistant Professor, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri 9, Camerino (MC), Italy, tel +39 0737 402505, fax

+39 0737 40632525

4 PhD s tudent, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Car ceri 9, Camerino (MC), Italy, tel +39 0737 402505, fax +39

0737 40632525