[OSM-talk] License

[Richard Fairhurst]

Robert (Jamie) Munro wrote:

> Please can we let NPEmaps use OSM as a background for selecting
> postcodes? Currently, they want their postcodes to be public domain, and
> are afraid that by using our maps, the postcodes become CC-by-sa. We
> need to stop this silliness ASAP.
>
> What will it take to get the license changed?

IMHO this probably doesn't even need a "relicensing" process like the  
one you describe.

Within the OSM community, there is no consensus on whether locating  
points on a map creates a derivative work. Some of us (like me) think  
it does. Others (like Raphael, IIRC) think it doesn't. But a case can  
be made for either viewpoint. (In fact, npemap hints at the lack of  
consensus: "There are people who believe that locating a point on a  
map creates a derived work".)

Therefore I would humbly submit that all we need to do is adopt a  
common position on this, as a clarification to the licence: "we do not  
consider that, in identifying the location of a feature by reference  
to other features on OpenStreetMap map or data, you are creating a  
derivative work".

cheers
Richard

p.s. obviously personally I'd rather the whole lot was public domain,  
but that's another argument :)