PSI Re-users Dispute with UK Environment Agency (1 September 2003)

In a case that will have enormous impact on the regulation of relations between government agencies and commercial re-users of PSI in the UK, Landmark Information Group and Sitescope, the two major UK providers of online property and environmental information services supporting property transactions, have lodged formal complaints against the UK Environment Agency with the Office of Fair Trading. They allege that the Environment Agency is demanding significantly increased fees for the information it provides to Landmark and Sitescope.

Since the Environment Agency is the sole supplier of such information, Landmark and Sitescope allege that the agency is abusing its market position under UK competition law. The Office of Fair Trading has accepted that there is a prima facie case to answer and is investigating the complaints

In addition to the proposed hike in fees, the Environment Agency has also decided to compete in the marketplace itself, providing similar services to its commercial competitors at a lower price. This property search service is a new venture for the Environment Agency, apparently stimulated by the entrepreneurial success of the commercial companies, and appears to be in contravention of stated UK government policy on commercial reuse of public sector information.

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Full story, GI News July/August 2003: http://www.ginews.co.uk
EPS Website: http://www.epsltd.com
Landmark: http://www.landmark-information.co.uk
Sitescope • http://www.sitescope.co.uk
Environment Agency • http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk