Text and Data Mining (TDM) has the potential to improve European research productivity and competitiveness by discovering knowledge from large unstructured datasets. However, the current non-"TDM-friendly" EU copyright framework is a major barrier as it lacks harmonized exceptions for research use. The European Commission is considering legislative action to modernize EU copyright rules as part of the Digital Single Market strategy, which could simplify and harmonize exceptions to allow TDM for both commercial and non-commercial research. Stakeholders are awaiting proposals in the Digital Single Market White Paper in June and votes in the European Parliament in April and May on related issues.

1. Text and
Data Mining
Jean-François Dechamp
EC DG RTD A.6 Science Policy, Foresight and Data
Science Europe WG on Research Data
Brussels, 5 February 2015

2. Text and Data Mining (TDM): an
opportunity for science
An interdisciplinary way of knowledge discovering from large,
unstructured sets of documents & data
Potential value: improving productivity & competitiveness of
European researchers
One major barrier: a currently non 'TDM-friendly' copyright
framework in the EU
• Non-harmonised situation of copyright exceptions for research
(optional, for non-commercial research only etc.)
• Licences system rejected by academics (researchers &
librarians) and not supported by innovative businesses

3. TDM and the modernisation of the
EU copyright rules
Legislative action as part of the DSM strategy
• Simplify/modernise/harmonise copyright rules across the EU
(i.e. bring them in line with today's reality)
A political and technical challenge
• Bring ambitious & feasible proposal to EP and Council
• Will it be possible to propose a copyright exception for
research, for both non-commercial and commercial research?
TDM and copyright policy developments are a major
issue for DG RTD and European research
• Best working conditions needed: impact on H2020 & all R&I in
the EU
• Developments should not jeopardize the global move towards
Open Science and EC policy to develop it

4. When and what?
European Commission
• Digital Single Market (DSM White Paper for June Euro Council)
• Public consultation, hearings (E.g. Commissioner Oettinger)...
• Clear priority / No fixed deadline / No paper on table yet
European Parliament
• MEP Reda Rapporteur (JURI) – vote on 16 April 2015
CULT/MEP Adinolfi, IMCO/MEP Stihler
Vote in Plenary on 20 May 2015
• WG on IPR and Copyright Reform: exchanges of view
• EP Research Service