<div dir="ltr">James, I think your list of "definitely OK" sources is a good one.<div><br></div><div>The rest of your list does a good job of reflecting how complex geodata rights can be. In most cases, OSM elects to use a conservative interpretation of the situation in order to avoid any possible danger to the project.</div><div><br></div><div>I will mention, though, that facts are not copyrightable. I think it is vanishingly unlikely that something like a single business's operating hours could pose a problem, unless you had personally entered into an unusual contract regarding how you collect and use that information. Any information you personally observe and record during a walk is probably going to be okay -- even in circumstances where trademark or other protections apply to a business name, that will not constitute a prohibition on recording it as a fact about the world.</div><div><br></div><div>When you start using large collections of information assembled by third parties -- especially if it undercuts their business -- things get more complicated.</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Jul 24, 2016 at 4:48 PM, James McCloud <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Cinco_Flare@hotmail.com" target="_blank">Cinco_Flare@hotmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">There is documentation that hits on this but I am looking for more clarification and any additional sources.<br>
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Here are my own conclusions:<br>
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Definitely OK to use(whiter than white):<br>
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>From the beginners guide(<a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Beginners_Guide_1.1" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Beginners_Guide_1.1</a>):<br>
* Your own GPS traces(without data you entered while looking at your navigation source).<br>
* Sources already in the editors(not additional ones you add).<br>
>From the legal faq(<a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Legal_FAQ#2._Contributing" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Legal_FAQ#2._Contributing</a>):<br>
* Anything licensed Public Domain(PD).<br>
* out-of-copyright(check country specific laws) with compatible terms of use. Question here, isn't terms of use part of a copyright and thus expires with copyright?<br>
* Anything where permission is obtained(leaving out procedures here).<br>
* Other possible compatible copyrights when confirmed with the OSM community.<br>
>From some posts/threads and license compatibility: <a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Import/ODbL_Compatibility" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Import/ODbL_Compatibility</a><br>
* Anything licensed Creative Commons Zero(CC0).<br>
<br>
Generally OK to use(if there is any doubt, don't use it): The community seems to accept some of these even though copyright is possible. Perhaps 'doubt' should be applied to a slight chance(1 in 1000?) that a source's owner would not be OK with the use for OSM.<br>
<br>
* Anything to which copyright law does not protect, both from your source's country AND OSM's country(UK).<br>
What is unprotected? Examples might be names, titles, phrases, and slogans, but they cannot be used in OSM if obtained from within a copyrighted collection/database.<br>
Knowledge may come from copyrighted sources, so under what conditions does it become unprotected(or usable in OSM)?<br>
* Knowledge: Any information directly from memory in which the true source cannot be recalled.<br>
* Information may also be obtained from asking other people(friends, family, even complete strangers) for their knowledge.<br>
If there is an indication that the knowledge came from a copyrighted source then don't us it.<br>
Don't do anything with the intent of getting around copyright, e.g., don't ask a friend to look something up for you(not knowing their source) so you can use it for OSM.<br>
<br>
What data obtained from a survey/walk/journey can be used?<br>
* Layout(as seen directly, not from a document) of roads, buildings, walls, land, water.<br>
* Signs: Traffic, road, access, places(name and service provided), guide posts:<br>
Note: Signs that are 'likely' owned by your 'national' government are 'likely' public domain. This is less likely for state and local, and most definitely not for private ownership.<br>
Road signs are very likely public domain and are often not creative enough to be protected.<br>
Names of places(shops, businesses, etc.), either since the owners don't care or welcome the advertisement. However, complaints could be made and I can think of some reasons.<br>
Contact Information(address, email, phone) when you physically see it(or from a photo you took of it) at the location. It should also appear to be intended for public use.<br>
Posted business hours are likely OK if by themselves.<br>
Signs that contain more information(documents) or originality/creativity are much more likely to be copyrighted and considered unacceptable for use in OSM(without proper license/permission).<br>
Some examples: - Any kind of map(even on a permanent outdoor display like at a historic site, or city bus route map)<br>
- Things posted on a tourist information board<br>
- a Text description of foot/bike routes with path names and access restrictions<br>
<br>
* Information on a business card or receipt.<br>
* Contact information for a business on it's website. It should be easy to access, and appear to be intended for public use. Note: This should probably only be used in addition to a survey, or otherwise only for well known businesses.<br>
<br>
See also: Wikimedia has useful information on some of these things, though for photographic purposes and US based(<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Copyright_rules_by_subject_matter" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Copyright_rules_by_subject_matter</a>) and also(<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Licensing" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Licensing</a>).<br>
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</blockquote></div><br></div>