Harmonised sharing
Access to spatial data and services is an important basis for environmental policies for all public authorities and is therefore a central aspect of the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community. In the context of INSPIRE, requirements for the documentation of sharing conditions between different levels of government are defined.
Requirements for providers
Providers should document as clearly as possible the possibilities and possible limitations of sharing spatial data and services through metadata. It is recommended to eliminate barriers and limitations in promoting reuse by encouraging the availability of Open Data and the use of standardised licences (Creative commons CC-0, CC-BY). In the case of restriction of access, the related reasons must be given.
Options for users
Users should be able to quickly and easily identify opportunities and potential limits to the use of spatial data and services. With proper documentation via metadata, they should be able to find the ones they can use without restriction, or need to cite their source. Similarly, in the case of restricted data and services, they should be able to find out the reasons for the restriction or the conditions for gaining access.