Free access for micro-firms to postcode database after Sir Tim Berners-Lee's protest The measures have been introduced after an outcry over Government plans to sell off the database as part of the £3billion privatisation of Royal Mail, due later this year, led by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of the world wide web. However, after ministers decided to include the file in the privatisation, Royal Mail has unveiled new access terms to the database. It said micro-businesses - those with fewer than nine employees and less than £2million turnover annually - could have free access for a year. Similarly charities with a turnover of less than £10million a year would be allowed unlimited access to the database. The number of enquiries to the file over the internet from members of the public was being increased from 15 to 50 a day. Royal Mail also said it was planning to consult next month on "a wide-ranging package of licensing reforms to change the regime to better enable it to meet the needs of users and innovators in today's marketplace." It said: "Royal Mail and the Government recognise that PAF is also a key component in thousands of other applications which support business efficiency and growth. We are committed to driving increased usage of this data-set and thus innovation in the data business community to the benefit of the UK economy. We recognise that further simplification and improvement to the current licensing arrangements is required.