On Thu 21 Mar, Terry Collins bloviated thus: > [1] the rational is that data collect by the US government has already > been paid for by its citizens.
Well, this might be the rationale for the following but isn't the specific reason why US GIS data is free. The US Government is not allowed to own copyright in any of its material. No government agency may "own" its publicly published materials. As for user-pays, there are two conflicting ideas: 1) We've already paid for it, so why do we have to pay for it again. 2) The person who benefits should pay. Overdoing option 2 brings you ridiculous situations like here in the UK where they have an entirely seperate taxation system, with its own substantial collection and enforcement overheads, to collect Television License Fees from 99% of the population while the roads (used by 60-80% of the population) are free. However, I think I would have a hard time convincing my grandmother why she should be paying for GIS data that you are going to use. Though I have a feeling there could be some very good (market-building, mainly) arguments in favour of free GIS data. -- Rev Simon Rumble <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> www.rumble.net Illegal arrivals by sea have always been a problem in Australia. Ask any Aborigine. - corruption of a Robert Orben quote
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