Abstract
Open access, free access, and the public domain are different concepts. The International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC) permanently guarantees free and unrestricted access to nucleotide sequence data for all researchers, irrespective of nationality or affiliation. However, recent virus information is primarily distributed via the restricted-access repository known as the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Flu Data (GISAID) supported by the World Health Organization. As compensation for the restriction, GISAID needs to meet its initial goal of benefit-sharing among countries and to curb ongoing vaccine diplomacy campaigns.