[OSM-legal-talk] Sample Memorandum of Understanding for Data Release

[Robert Soden]

Hello,

I'm working on a project for a DC-based technology consulting firm  
called Development Seed.  Our clients are international development  
organizations and humanitarian relief agencies, many of whom work in  
Africa.  We're excited about using Open Street Map for a number of  
projects in the near future and want to contribute to OSM as part of  
this process.  We've blogged a little about our project here: http:// 
is.gd/g90W and have been in touch with Mikel Maron and several other  
individuals working on OSM in Africa.

Over the last few weeks, I've been in contact with FAO's Africover  
program: http://www.africover.org/ .  Africover maintains shapefiles  
containing rivers, roads, towns, and admin boundaries for a number of  
countries that we would like  to add to OSM.  While they normally do  
not release data under an OSM-acceptable license, they have  
informally expressed willingness to make an exception in this case.

I was wondering if similar situations had arisen in the past, and if  
there was an example data-release form or MOU that would allow us to  
obtain Africover data in a way that protects the OSM community.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Robert Soden
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:Rsoden
http://www.developmentseed.org/team/robert-soden