Taiwan’s open government data license is the first in Asia to be recognized by U.K.-based nonprofit Open Knowledge International as compliant with its Open Definition standard, which assures open data to be technically and legally accessible to the public, according to the National Development Council April 28.
Issued by the NDC in 2015, the Open Government Data License Taiwan 1.0 specifies terms of use for data made available by government agencies, state-owned businesses, public schools and administrative legal entities. It aims to facilitate the sharing and application of open government data as well as strengthen related service efficacy.
According to the NDC, the inclusion of Taiwan’s standard in OKI’s list of conformant licenses highlights the nation’s commitment to ensuring full and free access to open government data. Recognition of these efforts is helping bolster the country’s international visibility.
In addition to the OKI standard, the Open Government Data License Taiwan 1.0 is also conformant with the international Creative Commons license, a public copyright license granting the right to use, share and modify existing works.
Taiwan has taken a number of significant steps to promote access to and use of open government data. The nation promulgated the Freedom of Government Information Law in 2005, before developing an open government data platform in 2012 and launching a promotion plan the following year to encourage private enterprises and organizations to make greater use of available data sets.
In April 2013, Taiwan joined OKI—a global network established in 2004 to promote knowledge sharing through advocacy, technology and training. The nonprofit organization publishes the Global Open Data Index annually, which provides a snapshot of the availability of open government data around the world.
Taiwan topped the rankings of 121 countries and territories in the 2015 index, with 78 percent of its government data assessed as open. The nation retained its position in last year’s edition with a score of 79 percent. (KWS-E)
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