The TERN data licensing project aims to make ecosystem research data openly accessible while respecting existing rights through a collaborative structure. The project involves reviewing TERN's requirements and existing licensing options to develop a data licensing policy and framework. This includes identifying data types, copyright issues, and user obligations. TERN data will be freely available under an open license, while non-TERN data access will be negotiated with data custodians under the least restrictive terms. The policy outlines preferred open licenses and a process for data sharing and licensing derivatives. Implementing the flexible framework requires engagement across diverse data sources and types.

1. Data Licensing - the Terrestrial
Ecosystem Research Network
(TERN) Approach
Alison Bradshaw
TERN Licensing Coordinator
TERN 4th Annual Symposium - Canberra

2. Data licensing project
• Key elements
– Open access to ecosystem research data
– Respecting existing rights
– Collaborative structure of multiple organisations
• Project stages
– Review of requirements
– Review of existing licence options
– Prepare data licensing policy
– Prepare implementation framework

3. Project stages
• Review TERN structure and data licensing requirements
– Identify / prioritise issues
• data types
• copyright in data?
• Data provenance
• Compliance and enforcement
• confidentiality/sensitivity/privacy
• Acknowledgement (citation)
• sharing methods
• Assess existing approaches (e.g., AusGOAL, ALA, ANDS)
• Produce and implement TERN Data Licensing Policy & Framework
– Top-level policy statement
– Specific principles & exception strategies
– Integration into TERN Facility data management (access) processes
(implementation)

4. Flexibility in Implementation
• Spectrum of Interests
– Provider of data
– Facility
– User of data
– TERN
• Spectrum of Obligations
– Data source policy & procedures
– Facility host organisation policy & procedures
– TERN policy
• Informed decision-making

5. TERN Data Licensing Policy Principles
http://tern.org.au/datalicence/
1. The least-restrictive licence/terms possible are to be applied to all data made
available through TERN.
2. Data generated through TERN funding (“TERN data”) will be made freely and
openly available by the relevant Facility, noting that:
i. Users will be required to attribute the source of the data; and
ii. Justifiable conditions protecting sensitivities of data will be allowed.

6. TERN Data Licensing Policy Principles
http://tern.org.au/datalicence/
3. Third party/existing data (“non-TERN data”) provided to/through TERN will be
made freely and openly accessible through the relevant Facility, noting that:
i. Users will be required to attribute the source of the data; and
ii. Other justifiable conditions of use (including data sensitivities) will be determined by
the data custodian in negotiation with the relevant Facility, subject to the
data being made available under the least restrictive licence/terms possible..
4. TERN recommends a range of preferred data end user licences to achieve TERN’s
data access goals.

7. Data
TERN-funded data Non-TERN data
Negotiation/partnership
Must be free and open with Facility/Data
Custodian
Facility/Data Custodian
Free and open
Choose licence determine/negotiate
access?
terms of access
If data If data If data Sufficiently free?
copyrightable copyrightable copyrightable
and no with and no Not free enough?
restrictions restrictions restrictions
Alterative,
Appropriate Appropriate Policy-
STOP
CC licence TERN licence consistent
licence

8. TERN Data Licence Suite
(Covering all licensed materials including material not subject to
copyright)
• TERN Attribution Licence (TERN – BY)
• TERN Attribution No Derivatives Licence (TERN – BY-ND)
• TERN Attribution Share Alike Licence (TERN – BY-SA)
• Also available:
– Creative Commons Australia open source licences for copyright
material

9. Implementation
• General process for data sharing
1. the data rights holder and the TERN Facility liaise;
2. Identify data and any restrictions/conditions;
3. agreement on data transformation /derivatives;
4. select appropriate user licence; and
5. Publish metadata, data and/or the derived product with appropriate
links to/detail of user licence.

10. Lessons/vital issues
• Organisation structure critical
• Cater for a wide variety of data sources
• Cater for a wide variety of data types including those in which
copyright does not subsist
• Engagement and education process needed
• Culture shift non-trivial

11. Contact
TERN
www.tern.org.au
TERN Licensing Coordinator – Alison Bradshaw
Tern.license@tern.org.au
08 8313 1254