Digitisation is fundamentally transforming our entire economy and our society. The datafication of business processes leads to an incredibly fast and ever increasing mass of data. Such data is the blood in the veins of the digital economy. Many existing and future business models, which will drive innovation and create economic growth, depend on being able to use this data.

Trading Data in the Digital Economy is therefore a central aspect of the development of the EU Digital Market. In continuing with the aim of the 'Münster Colloquia on Digital Law and the EU Economy', this book examines the 'Legal Concepts and Tools' with a view to determining how EU law should react to the challenges and needs of this aspect of the digital economy.

This volume is a collection of contributions to the 3rd Münster Colloquium, held on 4-5 May 2017 in Münster, Germany. The colloquium analysed the academic, practice-based, and political aspects of the various legal concepts and tools surrounding the trade in data. More specifically, the volume focuses on the starting points and challenges, exclusivity rights, compulsory licences, and contractual concepts.

Sebastian Lohsse is Professor of Roman Law, Comparative Legal History, Civil Law and European Private Law at the University of Münster.
Reiner Schulze is Professor of German and European Civil Law at the University of Münster.
Dirk Staudenmayer is Honorary Professor at the University of Münster and Head of Unit - Contract Law; DG Justice and Consumers; European Commission.