[OSM-talk] Sat nav driver's car hit by train

[Nick Whitelegg]

On Tuesday 15 May 2007 18:15, Lester Caine wrote:
> Robert Hart wrote:
> >> If the navigation software does not handle obstructions then the
> >> suppliers
> >> SHOULD be liable in some way!
> >
> > So when it becomes possible to put OSM on a SatNav, you'd like us all
> > to get sued every time this happens?
>
> Certainly if roads are flagged as public and passable, then they should be.
> If there are gated crossings they should be shown, or the road should be
> broken at that point so that any routing software will ignore it. Simply
> putting in roads without taking a little care should be avoided.

I really think this misses the point though in the sat nav was absolutely not 
to blame in this, and similar cases. It would be rather like saying the 
Ordnance Survey is to blame if someone gets injured whilst out walking.

More generally, the idea of people suing OSM over inaccurate data is a perfect 
illustration of why an excessively litigious society is a bad thing and 
restricts freedom and creativity. I guess we need a GPL type clause which 
reads "you use this data *at your own risk*".

Nick