ODbL License Compatibility

Have you wondered if a certain dataset can be used for OSM? What does it mean for a license to be “compatible” with OSM and ODbL? This talk will give pointers on where to look for information, common compatibility issues, and best practices for presenting a license to LWG for help review.

Have you wondered if a certain dataset can be used for OSM? What does it mean for a license to be “compatible” with OSM and ODbL? This talk will give pointers on where to look for information, common compatibility issues, and best practices for presenting a license to LWG for help review.

Outline: Sources of information about the license

• Website (page from which data is downloaded, about page, FAQ, TOS)
• Accompanying file (e.g., README, LICENSE)
• Terms, credits, etc.
• Metadata Information about licenses/dataset previously evaluated for use with OSM
• imports wiki page
• License compatibility page
• forums/lists US data
• Federal data and the public domain
• State data
• Local data Common compatibility issues
• Attribution
• Use restrictions (e.g., noncommercial/personal/research)
• Privacy
• Sharealike
• Revocability
• Indemnity
• Local laws
• Things that are usually not a problem (disclaimer of warranty/accuracy, trademarks, governing law, ) Making it easy for others to read a license
• Link everything!
• Include all information about the source
• Where to obtain
• Description of where/who the data is from
• Include all information about the license
• What the license is
• Any info about permitted uses
• Any prior OSM discussion
• Flag common compatibility issues and why you think they are or are not issues
• Quote the relevant sections of the license (include the section number!)
• Explain your reasoning
• If the license references other laws/regulations/terms, look them up and link to and quote from them.

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