[OSM-legal-talk] OS map copyright expiry dates, FOI request

Wed Sep 30 17:28:15 BST 2009

On 30 Sep 2009, at 04:50, Andy Robinson (blackadder-lists) wrote:

> I've mad a further FOI request to the OS today seeking clarification  
> with
> respect to those OS maps that do not carry a Crown Copyright (c)  
> date. This
> is the case with a lot of the First edition 1:25,000 sheets which  
> have a
> published date and a separate corrections/changes/additions date.  
> I'm very
> much hoping the published date still applies as per the response to  
> TimSC's
> request.
>
> It's interesting to note that the OS doesn't regularly go after  
> copyright
> infringers in the courts. You would think it would be more often  
> than once
> in a blue moon.

that's what they *want* you to think :-)

> http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/aboutus/foi/questions/2009/0059.ht
> ml
>
> Cheers
>
> Andy
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: legal-talk-bounces at openstreetmap.org [mailto:legal-talk-
>> bounces at openstreetmap.org] On Behalf Of TimSC
>> Sent: 14 September 2009 8:36 PM
>> To: legal-talk at openstreetmap.org
>> Subject: [OSM-legal-talk] OS map copyright expiry dates, FOI request
>>
>>
>> To legal-talk,
>>
>> I was trying to think of a way to clarify the situation on copyright
>> expiry of OS maps. One interpretation is the 50 years copyright  
>> starts
>> when the map was last updated. Another is the copyright clock  
>> starts on
>> the year of the copyright notice. To get an answer, what better way  
>> than
>> to ask ordinance survey themselves? Under the freedom of  
>> information, I
>> asked about a specific example (detailed below).
>>
>> The response seems to indicate OS's view is the copyright expires 50
>> after the year of the copyright notice. This is good news as it makes
>> many maps available for our use. The next question that occurs is  
>> can OS
>> reverse their view or is an FOI binding in some way. (Note the
>> disclaimer of the email.) Any thoughts from the community on this  
>> would
>> be good...
>>
>> If my question or their answer was ambiguous, we can always do  
>> another
>> FOI request.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> TimSC
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Customer Services
>> Sent: 14 September 2009 12:05
>> To: Tim Sheerman-Chase
>> Subject: RE: Freedom of Information. Reference: SAP 71979
>>
>> Dear Mr Sheerman-Chase
>>
>> Ordnance Survey reference: 71979
>>
>> Thank you for your email dated 30 August 2009 requesting: "I have a
>> sheet that has the following markings: "Made and published by the
>> Director General of the OS, Chessington, Surrey 1960 Reprinted with
>> minor changes 1965 Crown copyright (C) 1960""
>>
>> "Which date is used to calculate when the copyright will lapse? Would
>> this either be either 1st Jan 2011 or 1st Jan 2016 or another date?"
>>
>> We are pleased to provide you with the following information with  
>> regard
>> to your request:
>> The Crown copyright subsisting in a hard copy printed OS map will
>> subsist from the end of the calendar year in which it was published
>> until the end of the period of 50 years from the end of the calendar
>> year in which it was published, meaning 1 January 2011.
>>
>> Please note that your enquiry has been processed to Freedom of
>> Information guidelines.  As all requested information has been  
>> provided,
>> we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the  
>> Public
>> interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this
>> instance.
>>
>> If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our
>> Appeals Officer at:
>>
>> Complaints Team
>> Customer Service Centre
>> Ordnance Survey
>> Romsey Road
>> SOUTHAMPTON
>> SO16 4GU
>>
>> Please include the reference number above. The Appeals Officer will
>> ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any
>> decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending
>> disclosure of additional information if appropriate.
>>
>> Thank you for your enquiry.
>>
>> Yours sincerely
>>
>> Tony Gray
>>
>> Freedom of Information Pracitioner
>> Ordnance Survey
>> Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, SO16 4GU
>> Phone: +44 (0) 8456 050505 | Fax: +44 (0) 23 8079 2615
>> www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk  | customerservices at ordnancesurvey.co.uk
>>
>> Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing  
>> this
>> email.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tim Sheerman-Chase [mailto:**********************]
>> Sent: 30 August 2009 19:10
>> To: Customer Services
>> Subject: Freedom of Information. Reference: SAP 71979
>>
>> FOI Enquiries,
>>
>> I have a question under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding
>> the crown copyright of OS map sheets. I have a sheet that has the
>> following markings:
>>
>> "Made and published by the Director General of the OS, Chessington,
>> Surrey 1960
>> Reprinted with minor changes 1965
>>
>> Crown copyright (C) 1960"
>>
>> Which date is used to calculate when the copyright will lapse? Would
>> this either be either 1st Jan 2011 or 1st Jan 2016 or another date?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Tim Sheerman-Chase
>> ************************************
>>
>> This email is only intended for the person to whom it is addressed  
>> and
>> may contain confidential information. If you have received this  
>> email in
>> error, please notify the sender and delete this email which must  
>> not be
>> copied, distributed or disclosed to any other person.
>>
>> Unless stated otherwise, the contents of this email are personal to  
>> the
>> writer and do not represent the official view of Ordnance Survey. Nor
>> can any contract be formed on Ordnance Survey's behalf via email. We
>> reserve the right to monitor emails and attachments without prior  
>> notice.
>>
>> Thank you for your cooperation.
>>
>> Ordnance Survey
>> Romsey Road
>> Southampton SO16 4GU
>> Tel: 08456 050505
>> http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
>>
>>
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Yours &c.

Steve