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maps behind a pay-wall - is this allowed?

3

Hi, I'm thinking of using maps as a better/more interactive way of displaying information about certain countries.

As I work for a subscription company, the maps would sit behind a pay wall. Only those who pay our subscription would be able to access the pages with the interactive maps.

Can I use openstreetmap for this? Is it allowed?

Thanks!

asked 19 Feb '15, 12:41

MapsNewbie's gravatar image

MapsNewbie
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accept rate: 0%

edited 19 Feb '15, 20:16

aseerel4c26's gravatar image

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k●18●248●554

2 Answers:

7

IANAL, but this should be ok under certain conditions;

  • OSM is properly attributed so that your customers know that they can get the osm data
  • Your data is either disjoint from the OSM data (you're basically using osm as a background map to display your own data) or contributed back to OSM (you can still charge for access to your improved interface and to any data that doesn't belong in osm proper).
  • Make sure you understand what constinute a derived database. The line is often blurry; search on this site for example cases, and provide more details about your usecase if you're not sure.

answered 19 Feb '15, 13:23

Vincent%20de%20Phily's gravatar image

Vincent de P... ♦
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accept rate: 19%

2

Yes, I would just use OSM as a background map

(19 Feb '15, 13:34) MapsNewbie

6

Your question is indirectly answered in our Legal FAQ which explains that you may charge for data derived from OSM. The usual license requirements of course apply (you have to attribute the source and should you derive data from OSM, that derived data must be licensed to your paying clients unter ODbL).

Something that you should also keep in mind is the tile usage policy - if you want to make sure your paying customers are not dependent on the donation-supported OSM tile server then you'd want to set up your own tile server or buy tile services from one of many available vendors.

answered 19 Feb '15, 13:30

Frederik%20Ramm's gravatar image

Frederik Ramm ♦
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accept rate: 23%

1

Thank you!

(20 Feb '15, 12:49) MapsNewbie

Source code available on GitHub .