Yes, there is: the [Open Definition][od](http://opendefintion.org/) defines openness for data (and content). The Definition was produced in 2005, heavily based on the Open Source Definition, and revised minimally since. [od]: http://opendefinition.org/ [odfull]: http://opendefinition.org/okd/ The key part of the [Open Definition][odfull] states: > A **dataset** [work] is open if its manner of distribution satisfies the following > conditions, which simultaneously delimit the characteristics of a suitable > open **license**: > > ### 1. Access > > The **work** shall be available as a whole and at no more than a > reasonable reproduction cost, preferably downloading via the Internet > without charge. The **work** must also be available in a convenient and > modifiable form. The **license** may require the work to be available > in a convenient and modifiable form. > > *Comment: This can be summarized as 'social' openness - not only are > you allowed to get the work but you can get it. 'As a whole' prevents > the limitation of access by indirect means, for example by only allowing > access to a few items of a database at a time. An example of 'reasonable > reproduction cost' is the cost of a blank DVD required to > distribute a complete database.* > > ### 2. Redistribution > > The **license** shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away > the work either on its own or as part of a package made from works from > many different sources. The **license** shall not require a royalty or > other fee for such sale or distribution. > > ### 3. Reuse > > The **license** must allow for modifications and derivative works and > must allow them to be distributed under the terms of the original work. > > *Comment: Note that this clause does not prevent the use of 'viral' > or share-alike licenses that require redistribution of modifications > under the same terms as the original.* > > ... > > ### 7. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups > > The **license** must not discriminate against any person or group > of persons. > > *Comment: In order to get the maximum benefit from the process, the > maximum diversity of persons and groups should be equally eligible to > contribute to open knowledge. Therefore we forbid any open-knowledge > license from locking anybody out of the process.* > > *Comment: this is taken directly from item 5 of the OSD.* > > ### 8. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor > > The **license** must not restrict anyone from making use of the work in > a specific field of endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the work > from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research. > > *Comment: The major intention of this clause is to prohibit license > traps that prevent open material from being used commercially. We want > commercial users to join our community, not feel excluded from it.* > > *Comment: this is taken directly from item 6 of the OSD.* (Disclosure: I helped draft the first version of the Open Definition and have helped curate it since along with other members of the [Open Definition Advisory Council](http://opendefinition.org/advisory-council/))