Towards a standard licensing scheme for the access and use of satellite earth observation data for disaster management

TY - JOUR

T1 - Towards a standard licensing scheme for the access and use of satellite earth observation data for disaster management

AU - Clark, Nathan E.

PY - 2017/10

Y1 - 2017/10

N2 - This paper explores from the view of the data recipient and user the complexities of creating a common licensing scheme for the access and use of satellite earth observation (EO) data in international disaster management (DM) activities. EO data contributions in major disaster events often involve numerous data providers with separate licensing mechanisms for controlling the access, uses, and distribution of data by the end users. A lack of standardization among the terminology, wording, and conditions within these licenses creates a complex legal environment for users, and often prevents them from using, sharing and combining datasets in an effective and timely manner. It also creates uncertainty among data providers as to the types of licensing controls that should be applied in disaster scenarios. This paper builds from an ongoing comparative analysis of the common and conflicting conditions among data licenses that must be addressed in order to facilitate easier access and use of EO data within the DM sector and offers recommendations towards the alignment of the structural and technical aspects of licenses among data providers.

AB - This paper explores from the view of the data recipient and user the complexities of creating a common licensing scheme for the access and use of satellite earth observation (EO) data in international disaster management (DM) activities. EO data contributions in major disaster events often involve numerous data providers with separate licensing mechanisms for controlling the access, uses, and distribution of data by the end users. A lack of standardization among the terminology, wording, and conditions within these licenses creates a complex legal environment for users, and often prevents them from using, sharing and combining datasets in an effective and timely manner. It also creates uncertainty among data providers as to the types of licensing controls that should be applied in disaster scenarios. This paper builds from an ongoing comparative analysis of the common and conflicting conditions among data licenses that must be addressed in order to facilitate easier access and use of EO data within the DM sector and offers recommendations towards the alignment of the structural and technical aspects of licenses among data providers.

KW - Data policy

KW - Disaster management

KW - End User License Agreement

KW - Satellite earth observation

U2 - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.07.007

DO - 10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.07.007

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0094-5765

VL - 139

SP - 325

EP - 331

JO - Acta Astronautica

JF - Acta Astronautica

ER -