Re: FN-FORUM: Ordnance Survey map data

date posted 16th May 2007 23:50

> When asked to do this for commercial sites, such a villa properties or
> holiday lettings, I either use a geocoder in the google search tool,
> AJAX it
> and pull out the coordinates, all within the licence of Google. Or use a
> "show me where your property is" marker drop on a google map which
> records a
> LAT/LNG. So far both of these approaches seem to be OK.

As I understand it from OS, locating a point from a Google Map, which uses
TeleAtlas maps, which are derived from OS maps, would be considered
deriving that point from OS data. At least, they are clear that doing the
same thing from an OS map would be derivative, and I assume that the extra
layer of TeleAtlas wouldn't change that. They haven't made that clear to
me yet.

> Showing a cycle route on a google map could be done in a similar way.
> Using
> a layer to add a poyline after using multiple points to map it out.
> This is
> the same as drawing a line between two points on an OS map, no copyright
> infringement there.

My question to the OS was exactly (Tracklogs uses OS raster mapping):

"If I use a program, such as Tracklogs, for which I have a personal-use
license, and trace a bicycle route using it, does that route (as a digital
.trl file) become a derivative work of the OS map and hence covered by OS
Crown Copyright?"

They answered quite clearly:

"Thank you for your email regarding tracing a route and/or a derivative
work."
...
"If you then wish to place these routes on a website then you will need to
apply for a Paper Map Copying Licence"
...
"You will require this as the route has been derived from the Ordnance
Survey map originally."

So the OS say that tracing a route from their maps _does_ constitute
copyright infringement (if you don't pay for a licence). Whether they'd
bother with minor infringements, and whether a judge in court would agree
is another matter...

Anthony
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