This documents outlines ELIXIR’s position on the different business models for access and use of bioinformatics data. Reflecting its commitment to Open Data, Open Source and Open Science, ELIXIR's recommendation for the European Open Science Cloud is that non-depletable resources (such as data, tools and software and standards) developed through public funding should be provided to users without charge (i.e. a “public good”). Charging users for access to depletable resources (including HPC/cloud computing and data management consultancy support), however, is a necessary and legitimate business model that helps with efficient resource allocation. However, care must be taken such that cost-recovery models do not introduce costly overheads and complex management of micro transactions for users and home institutions (e.g. universities and other scientific or educational organisations).
