[OSM-legal-talk] Concerns about ODbL

[Frederik Ramm]

Hi,

OJ W wrote:
> the ability to create an uncopiable map image from OSM data
> does seem to have appeared in the ODbL license?

You can create an image and (provided that your image is not a data 
base, a distinction that has not yet been resolved) restrict copying of 
the image.

This is essential if we want to give users the chance to combine OSM 
material with other, more restrictively licensed material, into images 
or other products.

Only a few days ago I had someone on talk-de get all upset when I told 
him that he must not create an image from CGIAR altitude data mixed with 
OSM data. He felt tricked and betrayed by OSM, saying: "You claim you're 
making a free world map, and here I am, a hobbyist wanting to create a 
nice image from their free data and your free data, and you tell me this 
is not allowed?" - Believe it or not, in that discussion it was *me* who 
took on the role of defending the system, saying: WE are free! The CGIAR 
guys are not free! It is their fault for requiring "noncommercial only"!.

ODbL can replace this hypocrisy with a pragmatic approach that will not 
waste energy (and destroy use cases) on the fringes of some bitmap that 
is of no value in the grand picture of a free world map, and instead 
concentrate on what is important to achieve that goal.

Bye
Frederik