(sorry, I forgot to CC here) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Markus Neteler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Sep 27, 2006 12:20 PM Subject: Re: [OSGeodata] UNOSAT - Satellite Imagery for All To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thanks, Jeroen! One thing remains unclear: "The person asking of data can be used for her/his commercial work, will need to be more specific of what kind of data is needed. Again, our online maps are available to the general public. " What is the definition of "general public" here? Say, if I give a formal training in Indonesia on GFOSS use for tsunamis and I get paid for that, am I out of "general public"? Other example: I take some of their data, add more attributes etc (value added) and sell them on DVD for 50 Euros to cover my own expenses. That would be a commercial activity since I have to pay taxes for it. Can I or cannot? With US public geodata I usually can do that. The "free to use" statement suggests that I have the liberty to do that with UNOSAT data as well unless they are not covered by third party copyrights. But above cited statement suggests something else. I know that my question sounds stupid, but I really want to understand this issue in the case of UNOSAT. These (still somewhat unclear) statements are the reason why we need to apply clear geodata licences. I like much the Creative Commons way of licensing because it is easy to understand. With geodata, it is unfortunately a bit more complicated (e.g., a slope map is a derivative work of a DEM) but there are good geodata license suggestions around. Best regards & sorry for bothering Markus On 9/27/06, Jeroen Ticheler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Markus and Mateusz, I have contacted my colleagues in UNOSAT to check what their policies are and received a prompt reply on this today: _______ As for UNOSAT data policy etc.: All maps online are free to use by the general public. As for raw imagery these follow normal copyright restrictions, but we try our best to ensure that at least the UN has access to the raw data. A lot of imagey is available through our Imagery Bank, and the copyright issue is well explained there (to which those wanting to download Imagery Bank data have to agree). Those are mostly Tsunami related Charter data that are indeed only for not-for-profit humanitarian applications related to tsunami work. We also have a substantial amount of offline imagery, which also follow normal copyright restrictions, but these are not available for download unless specifically agreed, of course. The person asking of data can be used for her/his commercial work, will need to be more specific of what kind of data is needed. Again, our online maps are available to the general public. UNOSAT is a 100% UN programme (UNITAR Operational Satellite Applications Programme). The administrative part of UNOSAT is located at Chatelaine, Geneva, while the operational part at CERN, Geneva. UNOSAT benefits from CERN's solid IT infrastructure, hence the sometimes confusion about CERN e-mail addresses and domain names. UNOSAT is NOT funded by CERN, but does however collaborate on certain projects, like the Grid project. UNOSAT is funded through projects undertaken on behalf of sister UN agencies, through strategic projects funded for example by the European Commission and European Space Agency and finally bilaterally by UN member states. _______ I hope this clarifies things, Ciao, Jeroen
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