Projects/Is It Open Data Service/Request Templates

= Request Templates for Data Unlocking Service =

See also http://www.opendefinition.org/resources/ from whereof some of these are adapted.

General Blurbs For Use in Requests
This email has been sent from the Is It Open Data service at http://isitopen.ckan.net/

The service aims to make it easier for scholars to request information about the status and licensing of data sets. More information on open data and licensing can be found at http://www.opendefinition.org/1.0/

It is operated by the Open Knowledge Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2004 and dedicated to promoting open knowledge in all its forms. For more information see http://www.okfn.org/about.

Short Version
This email has been sent from the Is It Open Data service at http://isitopen.ckan.net/, which aims to make it easier for scholars to request information about the status and licensing of data sets. It is operated by the Open Knowledge Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting open knowledge in all its forms. For more information see http://www.okfn.org/about.

Request 1
Dear [NAME/SALUTATION],

I am a [INSERT INFORMATION INCLUDING DISCIPLINE]

I am writing on behalf of the Open Scientific Data Working Group of the Open Knowledge Foundation. We are seeking clarification of the 'openness' of the data associated with [NAME OF PUBLICATION/DATA SET AND URL]

My understanding is that most publishers are happy for data to be made openly available, but we weren't able to find an explicit statement of your status on this matter, such as a reference to an open knowledge license [1]. We're writing to find out what the exact situation is, and specifically to ask you whether the material can be made available under an open license of some kind [2].

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to receiving your response shortly

Regards,

[INSERT NAME HERE]

[1]: http://www.opendefinition.org/1.0/

[2]: http://www.opendefinition.org/licenses/

Request 2
Dear Editor,

I am a INSERT INFORMATION INCLUDING DISCIPLINE.

I was reading your publication XXX and the work available there[1]. What you've got looks great and from appearances it seems that the material is intended to be 'open'[2]. However I couldn't see an explicit statement of this fact, such as a reference to an open knowledge license[3].

I'm writing to find out what the exact situation is, and specifically to ask you whether the material is being made available under an open knowledge license of some kind[3].

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to receiving your response shortly

Regards,

[INSERT NAME HERE]

[1]: INSERT LINK HERE

[2]: http://www.opendefinition.org/1.0/

[3]: http://www.opendefinition.org/licenses/

Request 3
Dear INSERT SALUTATION,

I am [INSERT ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION]

I am writing to inquire about your data access and reuse policy regarding the material available at:

INSERT URL

My understanding is that most publishers are happy for data to be made 'open' [1]; that is available for use and reuse without significant restriction. If the data is openly available I would be grateful if you could confirm this, and also what open knowledge license [2] (if any) it is available under.

Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to receiving your response shortly

Regards,

[INSERT NAME HERE]

[1]: http://www.opendefinition.org/1.0/

[2]: http://www.opendefinition.org/licenses/