[Openstreetmap] Re: OSM License and debian

[Lars Aronsson]

Petter Reinholdtsen wrote:
> I like the idea of just releasing the data into the public domain.
> I'm all for releasing the OSM data into the public domain.
> 
> But as far as I know, the public domain is not a legal status
> available in all legal systems.  It is not available in Norway, for
> example.  And I believe the only way to "get around" this fact, is by
> using a license to document the right of the users, to give up some of
> the rights given to the author by law.

I've seen your impressive amounts of data for Oslo, and I helped 
to draw the motorway to Gardermoen airport.  Would you release 
these GPX files under a CC no-SA no-BY license?  Or if you insist 
on SA (share-alike) or BY (attribution), on what reasons?

I don't have so much, but my seven files for the Linköping region 
are available at http://aronsson.se/geodata/
I release these into the public domain, which is to say that I 
will accept any kind of use and reuse for any purpose, with or 
without attribution, with or without similar sharing, for profit 
or not.  They are provided as-is, with no guarantees of any kind. 
I've already uploaded them to www.openstreetmap.org and drawn maps 
from them, using the OSM applet.

Why would I do this for free without any requirements for 
compensation or respect (e.g. SA or BY)?  Well, simply because I 
think these files can be fun for others to play with, and because 
I think my chances of receiving any compensation is very small 
anyway.  By waiving my rights to these files, I know I don't have 
to fight to protect them.  There is a propaganda effect too: If 
somebody wants free track logs to play with, my offering of these 
files without restrictions will increase the chances that young, 
smart people will learn and take interest in the Linköping region.


-- 
  Lars Aronsson (lars at aronsson.se)
  Aronsson Datateknik - http://aronsson.se