[GSDI Legal Econ] Microsoft collaborating with EEA on environmental data

[Roger Longhorn]

Microsoft Corp. says it is collaborating with the European Environmental 
Agency to make information about local air and water pollution levels 
freely available to consumers through Microsoft Web portals.

EEA spokeswoman Gulcin Karadeniz says no money is changing hands in the 
5-year deal. The arrangement is not exclusive.

She said Thursday the project will begin using government data that is 
now dispersed and difficult to access. It will expand gradually to 
include feedback and data from environmental groups and individuals.

Frank McCosker, a Microsoft manager, said a 12-person team has been 
working on the project since February and hopes to launch a first 
product in June.

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