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Hello everyone! If I use Nominatim to geocode addresses, am I allowed to save the results in my database? This is for an internal application with a very small set of users (20 perhaps). This would not be bulk geocoding, perhaps one request every now and again when a new address is entered within the application. I do see a guideline within the Nominatim usuage policy that says: "Scraping of details The details page is there for debugging only and may not be downloaded automatically."

Is saving a geocode result to an internal database considered scraping?

Thank you!

asked 18 Jan '17, 14:50

stillsmallvoice7's gravatar image

stillsmallvo...
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accept rate: 0%


I think this is the usage policy you are referring to:

Scraping of details The details page is there for debugging only and may not be downloaded automatically.

This applies to the details page. The details page is the page behind the details button when searching at https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org, for example this one: https://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/details.php?place_id=159214550

For automated requests you don't want to parse the details page but use the Nominatim API instead. In these cases the other usage policies apply. Performing a request "every now and again" is likely okay as long as you follow all the other policies, too.

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answered 18 Jan '17, 17:20

scai's gravatar image

scai ♦
33.3k21309459
accept rate: 23%

Thanks! So storage of this geocoded data is basically allowed? I'm having trouble finding this answer.

(18 Jan '17, 17:27) stillsmallvo...
1

Of course. Nevertheless the license of OSM applies to this stored data.

(18 Jan '17, 18:14) scai ♦
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question asked: 18 Jan '17, 14:50

question was seen: 2,767 times

last updated: 18 Jan '17, 18:14

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