[OSM-talk] OSM layer into Adobe Illustrator?

[Rob Myers]

Thomas Walraet wrote:
> Thomas Walraet a écrit :
>> If works is done to change our license, I'm in favor of a real simple 
>> license in plain English. 

This would be a bad idea in my opinion. The law is not like plain 
English, and a licence is a legal document.

Clarity is good, and some jurisdictions even require that legal 
documents be drafted clearly, but simplicity is not the same as legal 
clarity, which is what is needed in a license.

 >> Even with "real layer"(c)(tm) help, we will
>> never have a license valid worldwide. 

The CC licenses are being localized worldwide. In my opinion this is 
better than a plain language licence that is not effective in any 
jurisdiction.

>> And anyway, OSM will never sue 
>> anybody. So why bother with the layer technical stuff ?
> 
> s/layer/lawyer/

1. For when you get sued.
2. For when one of your users gets sued and tries to pass the buck back 
to you.
3. For when corporates want to use the project but their legal 
department says your plain language license isn't strong enough to make 
a risk assessment.
4. For good governance, for a clear contract between the project, 
contributors and users, and for clarity in how the project can be used.

I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice.

- Rob.