[OSM-legal-talk] MoU between OSM and NLSF

[Chris Hill]

On 03/07/12 17:02, Pekka Sarkola wrote:
> Dear Friends,
>
> I have prepared with National Land Survey of Finland Memorandum of
> Understanding (MoU) about usage of their datasets by OpenStreetMap
> activists. Hare is current draft text for everybody to comment:
>
> ----
> Memorandum of Understanding
>
> This Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter “MoU”) is between the National
> Land Survey of Finland (hereinafter NLSF) and OpenStreetMap contributors
> (hereinafter OSM).
>
> Background
> NLSF started to use a new Open Data License for their topographic
> information datasets (hereinafter Data) on 1st of May 2012. NLSF’s Open Data
> License grants a worldwide, free of charge and irrevocable parallel right of
> use to open data. This MoU clarifies how Data can be used when OSM are
> collecting data to be part of OpenStreetMap database.
>
> Usage of NLSF’s data
> NLSF data can be used at least two (2) ways by OSM:
> - As reference data: NLSF Data can be used as reference data. For example
> NLSF’s raster maps or aerial photographs can used as source data when OSM
> databases are digitized, corrected, validated or in any other way.
> - As import source: NLSF Data can be imported to be an integral part of
> OpenStreetMap database.
>
> Attribution
> OSM will add NLSF’s contribution to OpenStreetMap wiki pages as follows:
>
>    Finland
>      National Land Survey of Finland
>        Contains data from National Land Survey of Finland Topographic
> Database and other sources,
>        data extractions started on 05/2012. More specific data sources and
> data extraction dates are
>        documented as part of data and in OSM wiki pages
>
> OSM are preparing guidelines for all OpenStreetMap data collectors on how to
> include necessary tag-information for the OpenStreetMap data features.
> ----
>
> Reasons to make this kind of MoU:
> - Common understanding among OSMers what can and what cannot do with NLSF
> datasets
> - Clarify OSMers goals for NLSF when using their datasets
>
> Some people may say that we don't even need this kind of MoU. IMHO: maybe
> it's better to have something than nothing.
>
> However, all comments are welcome!
>
If the data is licensed in an open way, you don't need this agreement. 
You are tying mapper hands with this agreement and it is, IMO, 
completely unacceptable.

Who will sign this on behalf of OSM? What authority would this person have?

This sets a dangerous precedent that I strongly oppose it.

-- 
Cheers, Chris
user: chillly