Information market: re-use and commercial exploitation of public sector documents. 'PSI Directive'

The committee adopted the report by W.G. VAN VELZEN (EPP-ED, NL) amending the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure. It reinstated a number of amendments adopted by Parliament at 1st reading as well as, in some cases, the text of the original Commission proposal. It also introduced a number of new amendments. The report reinstated the definition of "basic information" proposed by Parliament at 1st reading as well as the Commission's original text defining "generally accessible information". One new amendment focused on the need to provide public sector information speedily. MEPs argued that this was particularly important for "dynamic content" such as traffic data, the economic value of which depends on its immediate availability and regular updates. The committee also reinstated the Commission's original idea of a general time-limit of no more than three weeks for processing the applicant's request and providing the information for re-use. As for charging, a new amendment specified that, on request, the public sector body should indicate the calculation basis for the charge. Furthermore, the committee introduced an obligation for public sector bodies to inform applicants of "available means of redress relating to decisions or practices affecting them". Another reinstated amendment said that public sector bodies should make their own documents available in a format which, as far as possible, is not dependent on the use of specific software. The committee also wanted public bodies to take into account the possibilities for the re-use of documents by and for people with disabilities. Lastly, MEPs wanted Member States to ensure that practical arrangements were in place to facilitate the on-line search for documents. �