NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum

Dear all,

I would like to make an illustration based on OSM data. I would render a piece of a map myself and modify it such that it becames more abstract. In the end, it would be used for a brochure and internet pages.

Which credit would be necessary? For me, "Adam Smith & openstreetmap.org" would be fine. Is it urgently needed to mention a license - or would it be ok?

Thanks & best!

asked 09 Jul '13, 12:33

skyluke's gravatar image

skyluke
26113
accept rate: 0%


From the Legal FAQ:

Our requested attribution is "© OpenStreetMap contributors". You must also make it clear that the data is available under the Open Database Licence.

[...] if you have rendered OSM data to your own design, you may wish to use "Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors".

permanent link

answered 10 Jul '13, 13:13

Richard's gravatar image

Richard ♦
30.9k44279412
accept rate: 18%

Great that you want to use OSM's data! :-) However, please note that no legally binding advice can be given here on this help site.

Please read http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/en - I think it really answers your question (for both, works on the web and works where links are not possible, e.g. printed works). "You must also make it clear that the data is available under the Open Database License […]"

Also see the entry 3a in our legal FAQ - explicitly mentioning your use case ("if you have rendered OSM data to your own design").

To be sure, you should also read the full the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) text (I think section 4.3 is most interesting for you).

If I were you, then I would not think that your suggested credit/attribution is complying with the license.

permanent link

answered 09 Jul '13, 21:02

aseerel4c26's gravatar image

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k18248554
accept rate: 18%

edited 10 Jul '13, 12:43

Thanks a lot for your quick answer!

I think the general copyright page doesn't apply since it says "We require that you use the credit “© OpenStreetMap contributors”." which couldn't be true for derived art - perhaps something like "based on work by OpenStreetMap contributors" or so.

Which paragraph of the legal FAQ applies? 3a is just for plain use of the maps; 3b and 3d-f don't apply, to my opinion; 3c applies but doesn't help much.

Thanks also for pointing to §4.3 of the ODbL; however, I'm afraid a license note would be too long to be published. There isn't any fair use alternative?

(10 Jul '13, 09:05) skyluke

I am not a lawyer, and would go with "Map data © OpenStreetMap, under ODbL" . Anyone with half a brain* now has the info a) where you got your data, b) what data you got from there and c) how it is licensed.

  • note: may exclude evil people

To be safe, you'll have to get legal advice from a professional.

(10 Jul '13, 11:02) gormo

@skyluke: I mentioned the copyright page since it contains the sentence which I have quoted and which you did not respect in your initial attribution suggestion.

I have edited my answer regarding the FAQ.

"Fair use" and similar stuff in laws is outside the license - also see section 10 ODbL. An "insubstantial" use (mentioned in the ODbL) would another exception.

(10 Jul '13, 13:48) aseerel4c26 ♦

Follow this question

By Email:

Once you sign in you will be able to subscribe for any updates here

By RSS:

Answers

Answers and Comments

Markdown Basics

  • *italic* or _italic_
  • **bold** or __bold__
  • link:[text](http://url.com/ "title")
  • image?![alt text](/path/img.jpg "title")
  • numbered list: 1. Foo 2. Bar
  • to add a line break simply add two spaces to where you would like the new line to be.
  • basic HTML tags are also supported

Question tags:

×155
×3
×2

question asked: 09 Jul '13, 12:33

question was seen: 3,956 times

last updated: 10 Jul '13, 13:48

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum