Spatial Data Infrastructures - More Than A Directive

Recently, I have been doing some work on the legal and policy framework necessary to develop a spatial data infrastructure (SDI). These are the laws, policies, regulations, etc. that go beyond a directive to share data between government agencies. Instead they focus on the practical realities that agencies, and their legal counsel, must address when licensing (or sharing) spatial data. Depending upon the country or region for which the SDI is being developed these issues might include a government agency's rights to protect intellectual property, issues of sovereign immunity, contract enforceability and dispute resolution.

I thought that this piece (Part 1 and Part 2) is an excellent discussion on the intersection of data quality, stewardship and potential liability. It is an issue that I believe will become of increasing importance. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. However, the author provides an insightful perspective on how to consider the problem - which is an important first step.