openstreetmap proposed licensing change
Apparently, openstreetmap project fell in love with some lawyers, and are trying to make sure project is forked/killed...
See for context and for the ugly new license (only available as a pdf, how clever).
See for context and for the ugly new license (only available as a pdf, how clever).
First: it is 10 pages of ugly legaleese. Second: ODbL explicitely does not cover art (etc) you merge it with. Under CC-by-SA, if you create beatiful painted map partially based on openstreetmap, everyone automatically has right to copy that map, along with the paintings... and that's good. ODbL only covers database license... If ODbL is adopted, people are allowed to create maps based on openstreetmap, and we will not be able to copy/use those maps. That just does not sound fair. Third: ( + 1 week * Website to allow users to voluntarily agree to new license. Design allows you to click yes, or if you disagree a further page explaining the position and asking to reconsider as there may be a requirement to ultimately remove the users data. This will help stop people accidentally clicking 'no'. Sign up page now states you agree to license your changes under both CCBYSA and also ODbL. ) Yeah, that sounds voluntary. "Agree to the crap we invented, or we delete your data". Fourth: + 2 months * Final cut-off. Hmm. openstreetmap is in big part covered by imports, and companies provided data for imports under CC-by-SA. Having to negotiate imports once was bad, but having to do it second time is stupid... and 2 months do not seem like enough time. So prepare to delete Czech Republic. Fifth: What are the benefits? I don't see any.