[OSM-newbies] Non derivative work (was: roundabouts--> inside)

[Alan Mintz]

At 2010-05-01 07:37, Dave F. wrote:
>Alan Mintz wrote:
>>At 2010-04-27 11:39, Xan wrote:
>>
>>>PS: You could see:
>>>
>>>
>>>http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.585468,2.64021&spn=0.000478,0.001206&t=h&z=20
>>>
>>>http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=39.582005,2.65273&spn=0,0.001206&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=39.581964,2.652684&panoid=-h-cw5dWIBJdEDscZbiB7A&cbp=12,341.9,,0,1.71
>>>
>>
>>
>>Sorry for the meta-post, but if I understand it correctly, even looking 
>>at Google imagery, and then mapping in OSM based on it, could be 
>>considered making a derivative work, which is not legal.
>Where did he say that?

I didn't say he necessarily did. This being the newbie list, I thought I 
would throw out a reminder in case people were thinking that it was OK to 
search for compass roses in GE/GM and then drop them into OSM based on 
that, which may (or not) be considered derivative.


>>  Resist the urge to look at Google maps.
>
>What? Why? Please, don't talk rubbish.

Nice :(  One man's rubbish is another's ...

Resist the urge to look at Google maps ... so as to avoid accidentally 
deriving from it. This is a common technique in the construction of 
software development teams - it is dangerous to hire engineers from a 
competing product because they've been exposed to copyrighted material and 
may use it for your project unknowingly. Such things are the subject of 
much recent case law, and we're not lawyers. The easiest way to ensure you 
don't copy is not to see it in the first place.


>I use GE & OS (in the UK) to plan routes.
>I then go there & collect the data on which to base my uploads.
>
>In what way is that derivative?

It shouldn't be, assuming you never copy any info directly from your GE/OS 
maps into OSM. If a picture you take is blurry and you glance at the street 
name on your printed map to confirm it, or look at StreetView to confirm 
placement of something, you may be deriving.

Again - I'm just talking about things that _might_ be considered 
violations. I'm sure we'd all welcome a definitive list of examples of what 
can and cannot be done. Do we have any lawyers out there who would offer 
their opinion?

--
Alan Mintz <Alan_Mintz+OSM at Earthlink.net>