I FT S M E M B E RS – E X E C U TI V E S U M MA RI E S O F RE P O R TS
British Geological Surve y
Accredited: October 2004
BGS has demonstrated that it trades in information in a very open and fair manner. A
willingness to share information with the wider public as well as the academic and
commercial sectors is well entrenched within the organisation. There was also much
evidence to show that BGS proactively encourages the re-use of its information.
All BGS customers are treated fairly. There is a small and varied value-added reseller
(VAR) customer base which does make it harder to ensure complete consistency between
these customers. However, there was evidence that principles of fair pricing and
consistent terms and conditions were applied.
There are some areas of information trading for which the report does make
recommendations. In particular, BGS does need to be more transparent about policies and
procedures. It is also important that BGS has a complaints policy empowered to consider
complaints about information trading and licensing.
However, based on the evidence seen, BGS has sufficient policies and practices in place
to allow it to be accredited to the IFTS. It is expected that BGS will make progress towards
meeting the recommendations of the report in order to strengthen the IFTS commitment.
Central Office of Information
Not accredited
Based on the findings of the verification, it is not possible for OPSI to accredit COI to the
Information Fair Trader Scheme. A number of areas were identified which will need to be
strengthened. It is recommended that COI work through the recommendations and that a
re-verification takes place in mid 2005. OPSI are willing to assist COI in meeting these
recommendations. The main findings of the verification team are:
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Commitment: The Chief Executive is urged to make his commitment to Information
Fair Trading as soon as possible.
Openness: Although COI is open in allowing the re-use of information, it is limited by
not knowing what information it holds and is responsible for.
Fairness: COI policy is to treat all customers fairly. However, it was difficult to
assess the level of fairness achieved under the current arrangements as there was
not enough written evidence available.
Transparency: There is a lack of transparent internal policy guidance for the
administration of Crown copyright. There is no customer guidance relating to the reuse of information at all. In particular, more guidance is needed about what
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information is available for re-use and the licensing arrangements which will apply.
Some information needs to be provided on both the COI website and the websites
of the two externally managed archives. The contract for the provision of the photo
archive also needs reviewing before it is renewed as it contains inaccurate clauses
on the subject of copyright ownership.
Compliance: COI has no policy relating to the re-use of its information or its
obligations under the delegation of authority granted by the Controller of HMSO.
COI needs to review this situation urgently.
Challenge: COI currently has no complaints policy. It will need a process for
handling any complaints received about its licensing activity.
Driving Standards Agenc y
Accredited: April 2004
Overall we are satisfied that the DSA is licensing Crown copyright information according to
IFTS principles. A genuine commitment has been made to trading in DSA information fairly
and significant progress has been made in implementing the necessary changes needed
to meet this commitment. In particular, we were impressed with the terms and conditions
of the standard licences. However, the recommendations show that there are some areas
which do need to be improved.
These include:
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the need for a transparent and public policy in relation to the treatment of DSA’s
own publications;
the resolution of discrepancies in some legacy licensing agreements ;
a comprehensive complaints policy which can handle complaints about licensing
and copyright policy; and,
the need for a policy in relation to endorsements and the use of the DSA logo.
Environment Agency
Accredited: November 2004
The EA, and in particular the Data and Exploitation Unit (DIEU), have made good progress
towards setting up a framework for the exchange and licensing of EA information for reuse. The EA has set up licensing structures and put systems in place to handle activity
such as data dissemination and customer contact.
During the verification process, we came across some significant issues, which do need
addressing in order to ensure the commitment to Information Fair Trading is achieved and
maintained. The policy regarding public sector data exchange, and the need for a
comprehensive pricing policy were of particular concern. We recognise that information
trading is relatively new to the EA, and whilst it does not currently have in place all the
policies and practices we would expect, it is actively working towards developing and
implementing them.
The EA should now work towards implementing these recommendations in the report. As
part of the continuing IFTS process, progress will be monitored by OPSI.
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Fire Service College
Accredited: February 2005
The College has shown an impressive commitment to fulfilling the principles of the
Information Fair Trader Scheme. It has obviously looked at the criteria for accreditation in
great detail. It has spent time and resources in developing the infrastructure and skills
needed to encourage the re-use of information. As this is a new activity for the College, it
is not yet possible to assess how this will work in practice but there is nothing to suggest
that licensing and pricing policies will not be implemented properly. This will be something
which OPSI may concentrate on when it is time for the College to be re-verified in a few
years time. The College has achieved a high level of compliance and will become an
accredited IFTS member.
 Openness: In principle the College has an open approach to allowing re-use of
information. Although it does not currently allow course material to be licensed, it is
looking at ways of doing this in the future. It is very important the College looks
seriously at this as not licensing this information could be seen as a lack of
openness. In the event that the course material is not licensed for re-use, this will
need to be publicly justified. The College should also ensure that it formally
considers intellectual property ownership when carrying out work under joint
agreements or with external funding.
 Fairness: The principle of fairness is built into the licensing and pricing policies. It is
important that all staff appreciate the need to treat all customers equally as it is not
appropriate to give particular groups special treatment. If franchising of course
material does develop then the College will need to ensure that selection criteria are
fair and that competition issues are considered.
 Transparency: The College has put a comprehensive and impressive set of
guidance about the re-use of information on the website. The College should
consider including some guidance about what information is actually available for
re-use.
 Compliance: The College has put in place the infrastructure and policies needed to
carrying out licensing in an open, fair and transparent way. The setting up of the
Licensing and Franchising Unit and the steering group are particularly commended.
It is hoped that these sound principles will be transferred in practice.
 Challenge: The College has a complaints process which is published on the
website.
Land Registry
Accredited: January 2004
The Land Registry is very new to information trading. It is attempting to be pro-active in
developing policy and practice at an early stage, and the report does take this into
account. While there is some lack of transparent policy and consistency in important areas
such as pricing, which could lead to unfairness, we recognise that the Land Registry is
actively committed to developing its information business in line with its Information Fair
Trader commitment. The Land Registry should therefore be accredited to the Information
Fair Trader Scheme.
We have made a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening the Land Registry’s
commitment. While some are suggestions, others are considered vital. We have identified
the main areas for change as:
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Openness: Come to a conclusion as to what information is and is not available for
re-use and issue policy statement to support this.
Fairness: Promote adherence to policy and minimise discretion.
Fairness: Bring to an end the practice of providing information free of charge to local
and central government bodies.
Transparency: Develop and publish policy guidance on Crown copyright, licensing,
pricing, standards of fairness and terms and conditions.
Transparency: Consider formalising licensing regime for bulk data and review
whether Click- Use is the most appropriate mechanism for licensing Bespoke
reports.
Transparency. Review Land Registry website.
Met Office
Re-accredited: November 2004
The Met Office has made some very good progress in some important areas. In particular
the introduction of a pricing policy and guidance on licensing is a positive change. The
website has also been reviewed and now contains a lot more information about licensing,
making the process more transparent. There is a real sense of commitment towards
information fair trading from senior policy makers and the Chief Executive.
There are some areas which do need to be looked at in more detail and for which
recommendations have been made. In particular the policy and practice surrounding
discounts does need to made fairer and more transparent. It is also important that some
system of internal review of licensing agreements be set up in order to ensure compliance.
The current system of filing also makes it very difficult to establish an audit trail and was
something which did make the IFTS verification challenging.
Although there has been a programme of training about the importance of licensing and
copyright, account managers still work in a culture of ‘sales’ rather than licensing. This
does cause some conflicts with the principle of fairness. It has been recommended that an
IPR Manager be appointed and this would be an important step in emphasising the
importance of licensing and copyright to the Met Office business.
Overall, it is clear that progress towards meeting the IFTS commitment has been made
and although there are some areas which need further work, the Met Office will be
accredited to the Scheme.
Ordnance Surve y
Accredited: April 2003
OS has made considerable efforts to put itself into a position in which it can meet its
commitment to Information Fair Trading. We note a number of very positive aspects of the
current position:
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A major effort is being put into the rationalisation of the format and content of
agreements with licensed partners, to eliminate inconsistencies which have
developed in the past.
The whole licensing and pricing structure for partners is being reviewed, with a view
to making it clearer, fairer and more comprehensible.
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The parts of the website dealing with copyright and licensing have undergone
considerable revision in order to make them clearer and easier to use.
We noted the emphasis put on achieving simplicity, equity and transparency across the
whole organisation. We believe that the introduction of the Pricing and Trading Group
some eighteen months ago with the purpose of developing consistency across the whole
organisation is a major strength.
The commitment to Information Fair Trading is recent. In addition the organisation has
started on but not completed the initiatives mentioned above. OS acknowledges that there
is more to do in respect of Information Fair Trading. As to be expected we would like to
see a number of changes to strengthen the commitment which has been made.
As a result of the work that we have done we are able to conclude overall that in our
opinion OS has made great progress in putting in place decision-making, culture and
administrative structures which all encourage the delivery of its commitment to Information
Fair Trading.
We have identified a number of areas where we see change as being important,
particularly with regard to:
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Implementation of the new structure for Licensing Fees and Royalties;
Transparency of pricing and costing;
Justification for minimum annual royalty payments;
Enforcement of minimum annual royalty payments; and
Improvements to the website.
We have made a number of recommendations aimed at improving achievement of the
commitment and providing further assurance, including on the above matters. While our
opinion is not conditional upon implementation of those recommendations, we are of the
view that they would help OS to make further progress.
Ordnance Surve y of Northern Ireland
Accredited: September 2004
We were impressed with the way in which OSNI is administering its licensing activity. In
particular, OSNI has shown itself to treat all customers equally and fairly. It is proactive
and open with the information it produces and actively works to combat breaches of
copyright. OSNI has also taken upon itself the task of educating government departments
and other re-users about Crown copyright and this is highly commended.
We do have some recommendations, mainly in relation to the level of internal and external
transparency. Most OSNI policies are clear, although some do need to be written and
published. The licensing section of the website also needs to be made clearer for
customers and to include more guidance on the different types of agreement available. A
full list of recommendations can be found in the report.
Overall, OSNI has shown that its information policy and licensing activity fulfil the
requirements of IFTS and OSNI is therefore accredited.
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Registers of Scotland
Accredited: September 2004
Registers of Scotland has demonstrated that it has appropriate procedures in place to
meet the principles of fairness, openness and transparency.
We were particularly impressed by the level of openness Registers of Scotland has
towards those wishing to re-use its Crown copyright information. There was also a strong
commitment to treating all customers fairly in terms of charges and conditions. In addition,
there is a lot of guidance available for potential re-users about available data and the
general pricing policy which applies.
There are some recommendations which we would like to see put into effect and these
can be found in part four of the report. In particular, we recommend that where there are
exceptions to normal policy, these are explained and published, an example being the
refusal to license an entire register.
This document is located at:
www.opsi.gov.uk/ifts/ifts-members-executive-summaries-of-reports.doc
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