Re: FN-FORUM: Ordnance Survey map data

date posted 16th May 2007 17:47

> The formula for converting geospatial coordinates is common knowledge and
> cannot be copyrighted, the same as you knowing where your house is and
> telling someone how to get there.

Yeah, I guess so. But if I can't use an OS map to get a publishable grid
reference without needing a "Paper Map Copying Licence", which it seems I
can't according to the OS, are we sure I can use the OS's definition of
the National Grid parameters, which I need to generate a grid reference
from lat&lng coordinates...

> (This next bit is unofficially and will be denied by the OS). It
> wouldn't
> be inconceivable that the OS are aware of all the data infringements, and
> accept a small amount of loss or revenue.

Well, any site that uses Google Maps, and who used the Google Maps API to
locate themselves (in the UK), is infringing as far as I can tell. That's
a lot of sites, including many of my own.

> OK waffled on a bit then. In the end even if you do a traced drawing of
> a
> cycle path, and then this is used on a non-commercial basis I'm not sure
> how
> much interest OS would pay to it.

Whether they'd sue to extract the ~£50/year "per office" (whatever that
means!) is debatable, I agree.

> My only question now is, as I have free lawful access to a Google Map,
> how
> much can I copy to use in a research/education/non-commercial way? AS my
> right of access is guaranteed under the EU Fair Use policy.

The question is definitely "how much can I trace and publish without a
license", and the OS say "none". Fair use says "a little", but probably
not for commercial use. It seems that the OS think that a free benefit
only available to members of an organisation isn't commercial use, which
is handy.

I think the answer is "only the judges will say, if they're ever asked".
So unless you're particularly worried about the finer details of
licensing, it's probably just not worth worrying about.

Anthony
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