Databases consisting of personal data: promising financial opportunity for member states?

In times of economic recession Member states might seek new incomes. Governments of Member states should not overlook the financial potential of electronic databases consisting of personal data. The commercial use of such databases seems controversial, because the EU data protection law does not allow it directly. However, Copyright and the sui generis database right allow governments of Member states financially profit from the authorized use of databases. The aim of this article is to provide a feasible solution on the lawful commercial use of databases consisting of citizens’ data for Member states.