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Defining Open in Open Data, Open Content and Open Knowledge
The Open Definition
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The **[Open Definition](/od/2.1/en/)** sets out principles that define “openness” in relation to **data and content**.
It makes **precise** the meaning of “open” in the terms **“open data”** and **“open content”** and thereby ensures **quality** and encourages **compatibility** between different pools of open material.
It can be summed up in the statement that:
> “Open means **anyone** can **freely access, use, modify, and share** for **any purpose** (subject, at most, to requirements that preserve provenance and openness).”
Put most succinctly:
> “Open data and content can be **freely used, modified, and shared** by **anyone** for **any purpose**”
[Read the full Open Definition »](/od/2.1/en/)
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