RE: FN-FORUM: Ordnance Survey map data

date posted 16th May 2007 18:37


=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL REMOVED] [EMAIL REMOVED] On Behalf Of =
Anthony
> Cartmell
> Sent: 16 May 2007 17:54
> To: FN-FORUM / [EMAIL REMOVED]
> Subject: Re: FN-FORUM: Ordnance Survey map data
>=20
>=20
> > 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.
>=20
> 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...
>=20
> > (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.
>=20
> 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.
>=20
> > 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.
>=20
> Whether they'd sue to extract the ~=A350/year "per office" (whatever =
that
> means!) is debatable, I agree.
>=20
> > 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.
>=20
> 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.
>=20
> 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.
>=20
> Anthony

I think when it come to Google Maps, the OS would have already =
negotiated
the licence terms and conditions with TeleAtlas. So any infringement of =
the
Google licence and copying from the Google Map is loss to Google and
TeleAtlas. And I suppose there would be a clause or two in the OS =
licence
with TeleAtlas that make them liable and not Joe public, at least that =
is my
understanding of some of the licences I've read. =20

I do a lot of Google Map Mash-ups and I gets asked the commercial
no-commercial question all the time. If the site is commercial in =
anyway
then better to be safe than sorry, for non commercial, I agree why =
bother
worrying until there's a case law to go by.

Peter