European digital content: quality, access, use and exploitation, eContentplus. 2005-2008 programme

PURPOSE: establishment of a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision 456/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: This Decision establishes a Community programme for the period 2005 to 2008 to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, facilitating the creation and diffusion of information, in areas of public interest, at Community level. The programme shall be known as the ‘eContentplus’ programme.  'The new programme will concentrate on those parts of the digital content market where there is clear fragmentation in Europe, and where market forces alone so far have been insufficient to drive growth.

The financial framework for the implementation of the Community actions under this Decision for the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008 is set at EUR 149 million, of which EUR 55,6 million is for the period until 31 December 2006.

In order to attain the overall aim of the Programme, the following lines of action shall be addressed:

(a) facilitating at Community level access to digital content, its use and exploitation (40-50% of the financial allocation);

(b) facilitating improvement of quality and enhancing best practice related to digital content between content providers and users, and across sectors (45-55%);

(c) reinforcing cooperation between digital content stakeholders and awareness (8-12%).

The activities are to be carried out in the target areas of public sector information, spatial data and educational, cultural and scientific content.

The Commission shall report on the implementation of the lines of action by mid-2006.