Dear all The OSMF has been actively investigating the license situation, in that there are many problems with CCBYSAs application to data. We think we have found a solution in the form of the Open Database Licence [http://www.opencontentlawyer.com/open-data/open-database-licence/ ]. This license is similar in many respects to the theme and goals of our existing license but has the added benefit of being applicable to our situation. One way to think of it is CCBYSA for databases.
It is early days in data licensing (as opposed to Free/Open software or creative work licensing). The OSMF feel that the ODL license is the way forward for our project and reject the Public Domain Dedication [http://www.opendatacommons.org/odc-public-domain-dedication-and-licence/ ] because it offers no 'viral' (share alike) protection to the data. Whilst the license is almost complete, the OSMF have communicated with the authors and have noted a few improvements we would like to make before releasing it (detailed in the FAQ). The FAQ is as of writing not complete on purpose - we foresee questions and so on arising as a result of this email and the FAQ to build on them. You are encouraged to read the relevant licenses and contribute to the legal-talk mailing list and FAQ. The plan, essentially, is to switch license from CCBYSA 2.0 to the Open Database Licence in 4 stages. • Stage 1 - Get suggestions for any changes required in addition to those identified by the OSMF • Stage 2 - Engage the licenses author to amend the license as required • Stage 3 - Email all OSM users who have contributed data with the option of re-licensing their data • Stage 4 - Remove all data from those who do not respond or respond negatively (the hard bit) These stages require patience, understanding, legal and technical knowledge and represent an important change in OpenStreetMap. This license is not the final decision, but a beginning. We won't find a perfect license (indeed, many disagree on todays license) or one we can all 100% agree on, but it's hoped that we can find the best approach we can and the best way forward for OpenStreetMap. PS Please remember to reply to legal-talk [http://lists.openstreetmap.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/legal-talk ] FAQ etc on wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Open_Data_License http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Open_Data_License_FAQ Steve Coast, Chairman of the OSMF With thanks to Richard Fairhurst and Andy Robinson for direct involvement and the whole OSMF board for support. _______________________________________________ legal-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.openstreetmap.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/legal-talk
