[OSM-newbies] Where is the line between "facts" and "creative works"?

[Jeffrey Martin]

On Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 6:38 AM, Eric Ladner <eric.ladner at gmail.com> wrote:

> True, one needs to be sure of data in your country.  I assumed he was
> in the United States, though, since he mentioned USGS data.
>
> On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 3:43 PM, Iván Sánchez Ortega
> <ivan at sanchezortega.es> wrote:
> > El Jueves, 25 de Septiembre de 2008, Eric Ladner escribió:
> >> my understanding is that government produced GIS data is public and
> >> not subject to copyright (since, actually you're the one that helped
> >> pay for it, it's partially yours, too).
> >
> > It depends on your jurisdiction. In mine, data produced by government
> agencies
> > is subject to copyright, but data released by any government body as part
> of
> > any official statement (e.g. minutes from a meeting) is not.
> >
> > You might want to check the I.P. laws that apply in your territory and,
> if
> > neccesary, find a lawyer to get legal advice.
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> > --
> > ----------------------------------
> > Iván Sánchez Ortega <ivan at sanchezortega.es>
> >
> > Llevo meses pensando en ello, y... todavia no se me ha ocurrido
>
>
> --
> Eric Ladner
>
>
Even in the US this can get confusing. For example if a government agency
pays an stock photo agency to use some pictures in their newsletter then
everything in the newsletter except the stock photos is public domain.

A few years back the CIA produced some foreign language learning programs
using a contractor. Under the contract the contractor retained all
copyright.
We can all use the CIA Fact Book, but we can't use their language teaching
materials.

Mapping is one of those areas where government agencies purchase the
right to use material copyrighted by other companies.

Also, while material produced by the US federal government is free from
copyright,
material produced by state and local governments usually are not.

-Jeff
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