[talk-ph] Bacolod is still a big problem

[Eugene Alvin Villar]

Hi Craig,

Good points overall. I agree that some of these copyright scaremongering
isn't valid and that possibly in some jurisdictions (probably the US, but
not the UK), copying facts from a map image is OK. But for everyone's
information, OSM chooses to be on the safe and cautious side. Unless
something is black-and-white (we can definitely trace/copy or definitely
not) the project has decided to adopt a strict no-copying policy.

It's possible that someone can test the legal waters by bringing to court
(in some limited jurisdiction) some of the issues, but OSM is not the place
to force the issue.

As for Google itself, Ed Parsons, their Geospatial Technologist, has
hinted[1] that tracing stuff from Google's own or licensed data and placing
it into OSM is a no-no. That's why we are alarmed if we see roads that match
Google's imagery (especially if they match the extent of under-construction
roads).

[1] http://www.edparsons.com/2009/09/liberating-your-my-maps-data/

Eugene


On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 12:09 PM, Craig <nuclearmoose at gmail.com> wrote:

> Maybe there is something fundamental that I don't get, but, let me ask a
> question, please. How is it possible that a location of a road or building
> or anything can be copyrighted? I understand not copying entire maps, etc.,
> from a source and then claiming it as your own is contrary to copyright, but
> "facts", and a road location is a fact, not something created from someone's
> imagination.
>
> Google itself allows businesses to use tools to correct the location of
> that business if it is in error on Google's maps. Nobody is copying and
> distributing Google satellite images, nor are they distributing other Google
> properties.
>
> I think this worry about copyright violations is a knee-jerk reaction and
> would not stand up in a court of law. Big companies with big law firms
> backing them up is very intimidating, but that doesn't change the fact that
> you should be able to refer to a Google map or image to confirm a road
> location or other geographical entity. I see this as fair use.
>
> Also, thousands of people around the world have contributed to mapping for
> Google through efforts around the Haiti and Chile earthquakes. I'd say
> copyright is a bit dicey in that situation because Google only facilitated
> the mapping. Also, thousands upon thousands of buildings have been placed in
> Google Earth, thanks only to users like us. Myself, I have contributed
> mapping and 3D buildings.
>
> Is OSM open to the world? If it is, then Google can use OSM data. If Google
> sued OSM for improving maps using "Google's data" only to integrate that
> into their own products, that would be major hypocrisy.
>
> I'm sick of corporations creating this atmosphere of "we're going to sue
> your asses off" at the drop of a hat. It's a sad thing, and well-minded
> people like those contributing to a better world via OSM and other similar
> projects should not have the spectre of litigation hanging over their heads.
>
> Take care, all.
> Craig.
> Anyway, I'm not here to argue a point or start a flame war.
>
> On Sat, May 15, 2010 at 8:35 PM, Andre Marcelo-Tanner <andre at enthropia.com
> > wrote:
>
>> How can he draw the exact road alignments on a blank map just from what
>> he knows.
>> Yes he may know what road is here and there but he can not trace it from
>> Google Maps or another copyrighted map source. He can not even align it
>> by comparing it to Google maps and adjusting.
>> Sure he can add POIs from memory, but road alignment and position is
>> something that requires a map source with permission or GPS traces
>> correct?
>> Pls explain to him how if there are maps copied from a copyright source,
>> OSM can be sued and shutdown by a lawsuit, that is why the organization
>> is very careful and vigilant about its mapping sources.
>> He wouldn't want OSM to be shut down right?
>>
>>
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