Some time ago, the European Union and national legislators recognised the potential of data generated by state institutions. Uncomplicated access to government data is of enormous relevance not only in the entrepreneurial sector, but also in research. The term “open data” is used to describe data that is available to the public. In this episode of “Weggeforscht”, research assistants Justin Rennert and Owen Mc Grath talk about “Open Government Data” and how access to government data is regulated at European and national level.