Asking for open data isn’t open data

Often there is no direct download for the data, but rather an email contact, who in many cases must be emailed separately for each requested dataset. This was the case when we tried to compile a national database of tree preservation orders. Of the 80 datasets listed on data.gov.uk, 31 were behind an email gateway operated by misoportal.com.

Many users fear data you have to request cannot then be presented in services, even when it’s licensed as open data:

why would the Ordnance Survey require my email to download their open data if not to chase me if I make it public.