[OSM-talk] [Announce] OSMF license change vote has started

[Richard Weait]

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 10:10 PM, John F. Eldredge <john at jfeldredge.com> wrote:
> I have been subscribed to the OSM-talk mailing list for about two months now; this current discussion is the first that I have heard of the license-change issue.  So, if there has been ongoing discussion of the issue in the last couple of months, it hasn't been on the general list.

Hi John, Hi Shalabh,

Two months on talk?  If you haven't been welcomed to OSM before, "Welcome".

I hope that you aren't feeling left out of the license discussion.
Nobody has been deliberately hiding it from you.  You might have
missed a recent mention of it as talk is pretty busy.  Or you might
have found the discussion in the talk archives as it has come up
before.  You might also have seen references in the wiki, on IRC, or
in local OSM meetups, mapping parties or presentations.  Still, you
might have missed it as nobody really made it their job to see to it
the everybody knew.  There are so many ways to enjoy OSM that don't
include poring through archives that it really is possible to miss
topics of discussion that have been going on for a while.

As I remember it, the legal-talk list formed because many on talk were
tired of seeing the license-related topics dominate the list.  So I
watched the legal-talk list for a bit then stopped.  I decided that
those passionate enough about the license topic were also
well-informed enough that I didn't have to keep an eye on them in
order to see my interests defended.  I listened in on some of the
License Working Group calls as well and read some of the minutes but
frankly decided that they were covering my concerns and that I didn't
need to take an active role in the discussion.  Every time I peeked in
on things on talk-legal and the LWG they seemed to be asking the
questions that I wanted answers for, and consulting the people I'd
want to consult like IP lawyers and CreativeCommons.  I don't regret
my decision.

As the license discussion is new to you, I hope that you'll realize
that you don't have to decide right now.  Even if you are a foundation
member, your vote isn't due for three weeks so you can read some
material and think on it for a while.  And if you have never really
thought about the license before now, you might consider continuing
that way by continuing to map and enjoy OSM and just see how the
licensing wind blows over the next while.  Some of the discussion may
seem heated that the moment.  That doesn't meant that you have to
decide to take that deep an interest in the license discussion.

Best regards,
Richard