[HOT] HOT Digest, Vol 54, Issue 28

[Blake Girardot]

On 8/19/2014 9:30 AM, Andrew Buck wrote:
> These do look like good maps, unfortunately they are labeled as
> copyrighted to the Sierra Leone Government in 1972, which means they
> are still protected by this copyright.  Without a clear statement from
> them that we can put them into OSM then I don't think we can use them.
>   It is really unfortunate, but we can't risk contaminating our
> database with non-free information.

Hi Andrew,

I was wondering 2 things:

1. Is there a process in place or materials we can use to actually try 
and obtain that permission?

2. While not using maps like these directly, not loading them as a layer 
or some other direct means, is there any reason I can't look at them 
separately as a reference to help me locate a settlement or confirm a 
settlement location?

Maps are reference works and I would think that I can look at them as 
they are presented on the web (apparently with permission) while doing 
some geographic related task without violating the spirit or letter of 
copyright.