[OSM-talk] namespaces and copyright

[Dave Stubbs]

On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 1:23 PM, elvin ibbotson
<elvin.ibbotson at poco.org.uk> wrote:
>
> I too am relatively new to OSM and occasionally bemused by the arcane
> debates on the talk list.
>
> Those who know about database theory  should be able to decide on the merits
> of namespaces. I can see the value of a structured, hierarchical approach
> provided it is implemented in a way we lesser mortals can understand and
> presented via a usable interface and I have to say I'm not sure this is
> always the case. I have yet to get to grips with bridge tagging, never mind
> relations or worrying about namespaces :-)
>
> Chris Hill is worried about copyright issues with climbing routes and this
> is like lots of concerns I have seen expressed such as taking street names
> from actual street signs rather than from copyrighted material. If it's the
> name of the street, it's the name of the street, no matter how or where it
> is communicated. Not only am I not an expert on databases but I am equally
> ignorant of the finer points of copyright law. But PLEASE! A street name
> cannot be copyright and printing it on a piece of paper or causing it to
> appear on a screen is hardly the stuff of intellectual property. SteveC
> rightly debunked the whole map copyright issue at the beginning of this
> month and we need to recognise humbug and treat it with the contempt it
> deserves.
>
> JOSM imports  waypoints with GPX tracks and I would like to see Potlatch do
> the same, but I came across something this week about the terrifying risk of
> accidentally importing copyright stuff  such as the location of Garmin's
> headquarters. What?! If Garmin put this information on every device they
> sell they would probably be delighted if it accidentally appeared in Open
> Street Map. If not, I would like to see them sue.
>

I think this is generally the point: most people would prefer they
/didn't/ sue. Even if their case didn't really have a leg to stand on,
you still end up having to defend it which is more hassle than it's
worth if you can simply avoid the situation in the first place. The
same goes for taking street names or climbing route information from
sources which claim copyright.

As for whether copying the names from maps is legal, well there's
plenty of opinion on this from lawyers and non-lawyers alike. Database
right tends to come into it too. I get the feeling YMMV. OSM policy
has always been to keep to the safe side of the argument and only
allow sources which are guaranteed to be permitted.
Anyway, follow ups to the legal-talk list please.

Dave