[OSM-talk-ie] Sources of data

[Dermot McNally]

On 09/10/2007, Robert Fitzsimons <robfitz at 273k.net> wrote:
> I've been keeping busy mapping large section of south Dublin, mostly
> taking different routes to and from work, and I've run out for major
> routes/roads to cover.

You've been busy. That's a nice level of detail you've been mapping to
- the southside should be proud. We still have (I think) some
uncertainty in the exact routing of some R-roads (R113 west of Grange
road and the northern end of R115), but otherwise things are really
coming together.

> I've done a little searching for other sources of data and I've come up
> with the following:

IANAL, but here's my understanding:

1. Any paper OS map more than 50 years old is out of copyright and you
can use the data on it as you will. (50 years because OS maps were,
until quite recently, under government copyright).

2. *But* the same is not true of old map data that you get from a
modern OS information retrieval system, either because of the DB
copyright or because the new digital representation represents a new
"creative work". Or possibly for both reasons.

3. There are books that reprint sections of out-of-copyright maps. I'm
not sure what their status is, as the (recent) books represent a
creative work under its own copyright.

4. Real paper maps that are out of copyright may also be freely copied
and you can work from those copies. But you may have a job trying to
get permission from a librarian to let you copy it in the first place.

5. The status of the DCC streetname list can readily be verified by
asking the council - you'd imagine that the document is intended for
any and all reference purposes, which may mean that permission is
forthcoming, but it's only valuable for filling in missing Irish
versions of existing data or, to a lesser extent, for correcting
spellings or punctuation in data already collected. It doesn't place
any of the named streets on a map.

6. The lighthouse locations are fairly imprecise, and may be available
already in the GNS data file. Again, this looks like a situation where
asking is the best policy. Note this quote "They are intended to
enhance public access to information about the Commissioners of Irish
Lights, its responsibilities and functions". Looks good.

> An other item I've been wondering about is county boundaries.
>
> http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1993/en/act/pub/0031/sec0010.html
>
> From reading this the definitive boundaries are on original maps, we
> can get copies but are the copyrighted (Oireachtas Copyright?)?  Could
> we trace the copies?  What about a clean room trace?

For any modern boundaries, the maps will be OS from post-1957, making
them no-go. The original (government-originated) boundary lines drawn
on are less clear in their copyright, and could, in theory, be
admissable subject to permission of the minister responsible. However,
you would imagine that a boundary following, say, a river, would be
drawn along the mapped river path. This would be a derived work, and
that's a problem.

A better bet (for things like county boundaries that haven't changed
for ages) is old maps. A problem with tracing _any_ OSI maps, though,
is the projection corrections that would be needed. Unfortunately, I
know no more than that the OS projection is quite odd, not how to
address that. There was a bloke on boards.ie who indicated he knew
more, though, and offered his help.

Dermot