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Open Data Definition
Open data is data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone - subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and sharealike.
Open Data
Detailed definition
The Open Definition provides a more detailed definition of Open Data. To summarize the most important points:
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Availability and Access: the data must be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably by downloading over the internet. The data must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.
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Re-use and Redistribution: the data must be provided under terms that permit re-use and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets.
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Universal Participation: everyone must be able to use, re-use and redistribute. There should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups. For example, 'non-commercial' restrictions that would prevent 'commercial' use, or restrictions of use for certain purposes (e.g. only in education), are not allowed.
Sample Open Data Licence
If you want to publish your own data as open data, these are typical terms for doing so. This legally frees users to use your data as if it were any other kind of open data.