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Open License Examples |
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license-examples.md |
This section offers usable examples of open licenses and public domain dedications for potential use by agencies.
The open data memorandum, M-13-13, states that federal government data must be open. The "reusable" principle states that data is open if, at a minimum, it is available under an open license.
Data and content created by government employees within the scope of their employment are not subject to domestic copyright protection according to 17 U.S.C. § 105. These works cannot be openly licensed because they are already in the public domain, at least domestically. International copyright may still apply.
When acquiring data or content from third-parties, however, care must be taken to ensure use of the work by the public is possible and not restricted by a non-open copyright license. While an open license, as defined by M-13-13, is now a minimum requirement, agencies should strongly consider making this data "license-free," i.e. in the public domain, along with the works created by the agency itself.
A worldwide public domain dedication such as CC0 is recommended by a coalition of non-governmental organizations in this guidance on making government data license-free, which includes best practices language, real world government examples, and rationale.
When using a license instead, in general such licenses should comply with the Open Knowledge definition of an open license.
Several examples of common public domain dedications and open licenses are listed below:
Public domain dedications are suitable for both content and data: