OpenCorporates: The Global Standard for Open Corporate Data
In an era where corporate transparency is vital for global economic stability, OpenCorporates serves as a critical infrastructure for accessing public company information. As a comprehensive public records database, it aggregates data from across the globe, transforming fragmented national registries into a standardized, searchable format available to the public.
The platform was established by OpenCorporates Ltd, a company incorporated on December 18, 2010, by co-founders Chris Taggart and Rob McKinnon. The website officially launched two days later, on December 20, 2010, and has remained active for 15 years.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: December 20, 2010.
- Scope: Sourced from national business registries in 140 jurisdictions.
- Licensing: Data is shared under the copyleft Open Database Licence.
- Core Data: Includes entity names, incorporation dates, registered addresses, and director names.
- Accessibility: Available in English; registration is optional but required for specific detailed information.
How OpenCorporates Works
OpenCorporates functions by collecting data from official government sources and presenting it in a consistent manner. This standardization allows users to compare companies across different borders without navigating dozens of different national portals.
Data Sources and Composition
The primary data is pulled from national business registries across 140 jurisdictions. The standard dataset includes:
- The legal name of the entity.
- The date the company was incorporated.
- Official registered addresses.
- The names of the company's directors.
To enhance this official data, the platform allows for user contributions, which are particularly useful for mapping complex ownership structures that may not be fully detailed in primary registries.
Licensing and Access
The platform operates under the Open Database Licence, a copyleft license that ensures the data remains open and accessible. While much of the site is open to all, registration is required to access certain specific details, such as comprehensive incorporation data and director lists.
Industry Recognition and Impact
Since its inception, OpenCorporates has been recognized by international bodies for its contribution to data transparency. In 2011, it secured third place in the Open Data Challenge, earning praise from Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission, who noted the resource's importance for the Digital Single Market.
The project's influence extends to policy and regulation. It has been represented on the European Union's Core Business Task Force (part of the Core Vocabularies Working Group) and was appointed to the Financial Stability Board's advisory panel regarding Legal Entity Identification for Financial Contracts in early 2012.
In July 2015, the platform's commitment to corporate transparency was further validated when it won the Open Data Business Award at the Open Data Institute Awards.
Practical Applications of the Data
The standardized nature of the database makes it a powerful tool for researchers, journalists, and analysts. The service is frequently utilized for:
- Analyzing tax havens and identifying illicit corporate activities.
- Studying public procurement data and the online hiring market.
- Visualizing and analyzing complex company networks.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner | OpenCorporates Ltd |
| Jurisdictions Covered | 140 |
| License Type | Open Database Licence |
| Primary Language | English |
| Key Data Points | Entity name, incorporation date, address, directors |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenCorporates?
OpenCorporates is a public records database that aggregates and standardizes corporate data from national registries in 140 jurisdictions worldwide.
Do I need an account to use the site?
Registration is optional for general use, but it is required to access certain specific information, such as detailed director and incorporation data.
Who owns and operates the platform?
The platform is owned by OpenCorporates Ltd, which was founded by Chris Taggart and Rob McKinnon in December 2010.
How is the data licensed?
The data is shared under the Open Database Licence, which is a copyleft license designed to keep the information open and available.
What can the data be used for?
The data is used for a variety of purposes, including analyzing tax havens, investigating illicit corporate activities, and studying public procurement and hiring markets.