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... can prohibit use of more than an insubstantial part of the database. The term of protection is 15 years, but each time the database is updated significantly, the entire database (not just the updated parts) receives another 15 years of protection. Consequently, active databases apparently can be protected in perpetuity. Member countries are permitted to designate exceptions and limitations in their implementing legislation, as long as the exceptions do not conflict with the normal exploitation of the database. (Anyone may use insubstantial parts of the database for any purpose.) Most countries which have implemented the directive have granted exceptions for science and education as long as these activities do not serve a commercial purpose. This is a narrower exception than that granted in copyright. In addition, many EU countries have freedom of information acts, which provide for access to government data, but it is not clear whether they can be ...