(writing in a personal capacity, not as a DWG member)
I've seen this topic come up a few times.
The consensus from that (at least from my understanding of the
conversations) is that as long as the changes are backed by a usable
source, which includes a survey or allowed aerial imagery, then it's
fine to put into OSM referencing that source."
If you're going to mention a copyrighted source as what led you to go
out and check, I would provide that context.
Using your example and assuming you then went out to check in person,
have source=survey as one of your changeset tags, and if you want to,
either in the changeset comment or in the changeset discussion mention
that the press release led you out there.
The main concern for OSM/ODbL compatibility is which source you used to
enter into OSM. If you've confirmed in person, you're the source. This
is what I base any DWG related decisions on personally.
The press release alone wouldn't be okay unless it's provided under an
appropriate license, they're still covered by copyright by default.
Using it as inspiration to go out and survey or to check an allowed
source, you're all good there.
---
Thanks,
Andrew Welch
[email protected]
On 02/10/2025 1:43 pm, Ben Ritter wrote:
When you are manually making individual changes, and cross referencing
different sources like you are describing, I don't think the elements
need a source tag. The ideal source for information in OSM is the
contributors themselves, so the best outcome is that you are the source
of the info in the tags, based on your observations of the world (which
includes the satellite, local reporting, and on-the-ground surveys).
A source tag on a feature indicates that the person submitting the
changes hasn't had any input on the information, it is directly from
the source.
Instead, I would include the sources in the changeset comment or
changeset tags. That leaves a paper-trail for other mappers to discover
if needed without adding source tags to the map data that would require
maintenance.
I hope that reasoning makes sense, and that others here agree!
Cheers,
Ben
On Thu, 2 Oct 2025 at 11:57, Bob Cameron <[email protected]>
wrote:
I have often used local/state/federal govt road reports and press
releases on road surfacing to use as a source for then checking
against the available overhead imagery or using as an excuse to go for
a drive!
I wonder though does a press release actually make it public domain
information that can be used directly? I note for example that Bourke
Shire Council released one (actually copy-write on their website) that
says all of the Bourke-Wanaaring Road is sealed except for the last
9.4km. (The press release was actually about that it would be 100%
sealed later this year)
If that case were okay does the information source URL (as a tag)
pointing to a normally copy-write page get used?
Tnx _______________________________________________
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