Government Information Licensing Framework encourages public access to government information

The proactive release of government information is a requirement of the Right to Information Act 2009. The Government Information Licensing Framework (GILF) provides a simple licensing system to assist Queensland Government departments release information to the public. It also helps users understand the lawful use and re-use they may make of government information.

GILF is part of the Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture, which guides information and communication technology initiatives and investments across government. In July 2011, a national framework – the Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework (AusGOAL) – was launched, which builds on GILF.

Principal Lawyer Geoff Renton from our Intellectual Property, Technology and Communication Team explains, “GILF is a single consistent information licensing framework that comprises six Australian Creative Commons copyright licences and a restrictive licence agreement template. GILF generally requires all Queensland Government departments that create, hold and publish government information to select and apply one of these licences to their information to clearly specify how the work can be used or re-used.”

GILF benefits include:

• reducing risks and liabilities that arise when a department releases information
• reducing the number and type of licence formats used by Queensland Government departments
• minimising duplication in the creation of government information by increasing the ability for re-use and sharing of information.

^{The information in this publication is provided for general purposes only. It is not to be relied on as a substitute for legal advice. Crown Law and the Department of Justice and Attorney-General accept no liability for losses caused by reliance on the material in this publication. Formal legal advice should be obtained for particular matters.}