Confirmation on Open Sharing and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS)

When you submit data to a database operated by the BioData Science Initiative (BSI) — including DDBJ, BioProject, BioSample, DRA, GEA, MetaboBank — you agree to the BSI Terms of Use. The Terms ask you to confirm that the data you deposit can be openly shared.

Why is this confirmation asked for?

It implements a request made to scientific databases by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at COP16 (Decision 16/2). The decision asks sequence databases to inform users about access and benefit-sharing and to ask submitters to confirm that the data they deposit can be openly shared. BSI has revised its Terms of Use to reflect this request. For background on ABS, see the ABS Clearing-House: https://absch.cbd.int/en/

By submitting data you agree to the BSI Terms of Use. This covers your duties as a submitter, the handling of human-derived research data, and the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of genetic resources. See the BSI Terms of Use: https://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp/policies-e.html

Does this confirmation mean I have to pay anything?

No. This is a confirmation that your data can be openly shared. It does not create any payment obligation. Benefit-sharing through the CBD multilateral mechanism is aimed mainly at commercial users that profit from the use of sequence data; the information is provided so that all users are aware of it.

What am I confirming, and what if I cannot agree?

You are confirming, to the best of your knowledge, that no restriction prevents the open sharing of your data — for example, terms in a material transfer agreement, a national ABS permit, or a confidentiality obligation. If such a restriction applies, please do not submit the data as open data.

More information