[Openstreetmap] Soviet maps of the West

[Rev Simon Rumble]

On 23/11/2005, "Richard Fairhurst" <richard at systemeD.net> wrote:

>Do read John Davies' article in the URL cited (which was also previously posted
>to the ordnance-maps list). He puts together some reasonably convincing
>arguments that they _weren't_ copied from OS maps.

Finally got a chance to read these articles in full last night, and I
have to at least partially agree with his point of view.

I wonder if there is some kind of anti-chilling effect legal strategy to
force OS to prove that the maps are derived from "their" (Crown
Copyright, not expired) material, without just sucking and seeing?  Or
could we perhaps use this study as evidence of due diligence and acting
in good faith?  In other words, I'm looking for a way of verifying that
these maps are genuinely public domain without getting sued.