Data Act - Commission seeks feedback on draft Guidelines for reasonable compensation

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on draft guidelines concerning reasonable compensation under the Data Act, aiming to clarify rights and obligations for businesses engaging in data sharing. This initiative is crucial for fostering the EU's data economy by ensuring fair compensation for data holders, thereby maintaining incentives for investment in data technologies. The feedback period is open until February 20, 2026, with a dedicated webinar scheduled for February 10th. The proposed guidelines will offer a framework for calculating reasonable compensation, outlining relevant parameters to consider during this process. A key focus is ensuring clarity for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as non-profit research organizations, who are afforded preferential treatment under Article 9(4) of the Data Act. This distinction is vital for a balanced distribution of the economic burden associated with data access and utilization. Ultimately, these guidelines are designed to reduce ambiguity and legal uncertainty for businesses, promoting a more robust and equitable data market within the European Union. By establishing clear rules for compensation, the Commission seeks to bolster European digital sovereignty and encourage innovation in the data-driven economy.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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