[OSM-talk] License

[Tom Chance]

Ahoy,

On Fri, 2 Feb 2007 11:40:02 +0100, Frederik Ramm <frederik at remote.org> wrote:
> "Can I use OSM data to distribute it with my proprietary navigation  
> system?"
> "Can I put a slippy map based on OSM data on my home page where I  
> also earn money from banner ads?"
> "Can I put a slippy map based on OSM data up on my company page where  
> I charge for using it, and sue people who make a copy of my version?"
> "Can I use OSM data for preparing a report about asphalted roads in  
> Europe which I then sell to the industry for a fortune?"
> "Can I use OSM data to prepare a cycling map that is available free  
> of charge to the members of my cycling club, but everyone else has to  
> pay for it?"
> "Can I use OSM data to prepare a road map for my little village and  
> make it available no-strings-attached to anyone who wants to use it  
> for any purpose?"
> 
> Don't try to answer them here. Do it in the wiki ;-)

No. The Foundation should hire a lawyer to get as-near as-possible definitive answers to these questions, rather than amateur cartographers going round in circles debating interpretations of copyright law. Having studies copyright law during my postgrad philosophy studies I'll happily say that I don't know nearly enough of the intricacies across jurisdictions to make sensible statements. The lawyer should be asked to answer these questions for a variety of licensing scenarios, too. Only then can we make informed choices and stop this counterproductive, recurrent discussion from swallowing all of our time.

If it needs fundraising then let's do that.

Regards,
Tom