Viderebruk

Viderebruk refers to the reuse of information produced or held by public sector bodies for purposes beyond the original one for which it was created. It encompasses data sets, maps, statistics, documents and other information that may be repurposed to create new services, analyze trends or support research and innovation. The concept is central to open government and aims to increase transparency, efficiency and social value by making public information more accessible.

The practice is shaped by policy frameworks at national and international levels. In Europe, directives on the re-use of public sector information encourage authorities to publish information under terms that are non-discriminatory, affordable and permit reuse for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Norway and other European countries have implemented these principles through national open data strategies and dedicated portals, with emphasis on machine-readable formats and clear licensing. Personal data and other sensitive information are typically excluded or heavily restricted from reutilization.

Licensing and access are key features of viderebruk. Public bodies may publish information under open licenses or permissive terms that allow broad reuse, sometimes with attribution requirements or fee structures for large-scale or high-demand access. The goal is to lower barriers to reuse while protecting privacy, security and proprietary interests. Data quality, standardization, and interoperability remain ongoing challenges.

Common examples of viderebruk include open data portals, geographic information systems, transport timetables, and statistical releases used to develop new applications, research projects or municipal services. Norway’s open data initiatives, such as national data portals, illustrate how viderebruk can stimulate innovation and public value. See also open data, public sector information, and open government.