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There are five different layers in the Cognitive Model. (See Appendix I: Cognitive Model). Each piece of “data” used within a DIDO can be classified accordingly. For example, the number of cents in a dollar might be classified as Data. Note: to help differentiate the generic, general, and all-encompassing use of “data” from the specific cognitive “Data”, the cognitive layer is referred to with Title case (i.e., the first letter is capitalized).

Stavros and Albrant ¹⁾ define the five layers of the Cognitive Model as follows:

Figure 1: Cognitive Model

1. Data - Data that is a raw concept; it simply exists and has no significance beyond its existence (in and of itself). It is the basis upon which Information concepts are built.
2. Information - A concept aggregating data concepts together. In other words, Data has been given meaning by way of relational connection(s).
3. Knowledge - A concept relating an appropriate collection of Information concepts together, such that its intent is useful.
4. Understanding - An interpolative and probabilistic concept that reflects Wisdom concepts.
5. Wisdom - An extrapolative and nondeterministic, non-probabilistic concept, which is built upon Understanding concepts.

The flow between the cognitive layers is bidirectional and can have many-to-many relationships. For example, any particular Wisdom concept can be associated with any number of Understanding concepts. The inverse is also true; Understanding concepts can also be used to help support any number of Wisdom Concepts.

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When it comes to Data Protection, it is important to differentiate between the raw content in the system and the system in which the raw data is stored. The raw data is generally considered as facts, whereas, the system in which it is stored is referred to as the Database.

Facts are not by themselves protected under U.S. Copyright law. For example, you can not copyright the temperature recorded outdoors.

The U.S. does provide some protection of data (i.e., facts) organized into a data store (i.e., databases) ²⁾:

In the United States, facts by themselves are not protected by copyright. Therefore, data, as a collection of facts, is not protected by U.S. copyright law.

Databases as a whole can be protected by copyright as a compilation, but only under certain conditions. The first is that mere collection of data is not enough. The arrangement and selection of data must be sufficiently creative or original.³⁾

The European Union (EU), under the Directive 96/9/EC, provides no protection of data ⁴⁾

Figure 2: The relationship between Cognitive Layer and Intellectual Property Protection.

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