GLEIF

Open Data



The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) connects to key reference information that enables clear and unique identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions. The reference data provides the information on a legal entity identifiable with an LEI. The ‘Common Data File Format’ defines how LEI issuing organizations report their LEIs and LEI reference data. Simply put, the publicly available LEI data pool can be regarded as a global directory, which greatly enhances transparency in the global marketplace.

To facilitate fast and easy access to the entire LEI population, the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) launched the Global LEI Index. It contains historical and current LEI records including related reference data in one authoritative, central repository. The Global LEI Index is the only global online source that provides open, standardized and high quality legal entity reference data. Any interested party can easily access and search the complete LEI data pool free of charge on the GLEIF website using the web-based LEI search tool developed by GLEIF.

The data on GLEIF’s website, e.g. LEIs and the Master Agreement, which is the contractual framework governing the relationship between GLEIF and LEI issuing organizations, is provided under a Creative Commons (CC0) license. Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity and knowledge through free legal tools.

In January 2016, GLEIF formally endorsed the International Open Data Charter. The Charter defines open data as “digital data that is made available with the technical and legal characteristics necessary for it to be freely used, reused, and redistributed by anyone, anytime, anywhere”.

The overarching goal of the International Open Data Charter is to foster greater coherence and collaboration to promote the increased adoption and implementation of shared open data principles, standards and good practice across sectors around the world.

Adherents to the Open Data Charter “agree to follow a set of six principles that will be the foundation for access to data and for the release and use of data”. These principles mandate that data should be:

  1. Open by default.
  2. Timely and comprehensive.
  3. Accessible and usable.
  4. Comparable and interoperable.
  5. For improved governance and citizen engagement.
  6. For inclusive development and innovation.

GLEIF fully supports the Open Data Charter and is proud to commit to the six principles it mandates.

For more information, refer to the sources below.