If it would be useful, I'd be happy to try to get in touch with the GADM people. Sending emails like that is a substantial part of my workday :-) I would just need clarity around what, specifically, we'd like to ask for this time.
Simone, the factual nature of geodata and its effect on copyright is an interesting question -- I've had more than a few (US-based) lawyers express to me in passing that they're skeptical of the copyrightability of such information. Ultimately, it is a question that can only be settled in a courtroom. In practice, I think you'll find limited enthusiasm for that argument here for a few reasons: - The argument has weaker footing outside the US; untangling those jurisdictional questions is also quite tricky for a project of global scope (and chartered under UK law) - OSM has no trained IP lawyers at its disposal, cash reserves or potential commercial windfalls to be had by taking risks. These three factors all push toward a conservative approach. - OSM uses copyright to license its own data; dismantling others' license assertions through arguments about copyrightability is consequently a pretty thorny prospect. With all that said, there's no harm in asking GADM for permission. As I said, I'm more than happy to do so if you'd like to work together on the question. Tom
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