[Geowanking] UK: Use of Open Standards when specifying ICT requirements

[Dirk-Willem van Gulik]

Note sure if folks have seen

	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/procurement-policy-note-ppn-use-open-standards-when-specifying-ict-requirements
	Action Note 3/11 31 January 2011
	Procurement Policy Note – Use of Open Standards when specifying ICT requirements.

but it gives Inspire et.al. some serious umpf/wings. 

In particular note that besides the usual EU wide general take on this policy - the UK *also* says:

	*) are thoroughly documented and publicly available at zero or low cost; 

	*) have intellectual property made irrevocably available on a royalty free basis; and 

	*) as a whole can be implemented and shared under different development approaches and on a number of platforms.

Those in the UK may well take some time to comment - even if it is as simple as applauding the initiative (and thus help bolster it against the onslaught of negative feedback). Note also the publicly available element - along with irrevocably.  These 3 additional point are a major game changer IMHO.

My compliments to the UK and its Cabinet,

Thanks,

Dw. / Dirk-Willem van Gulik