Beginners' guide/Business
Introduction for editors of this page. It is hoped that this will become a suitable introduction to OSM for new users with an interest in using OSM in their business. This document will provide typical questions and answers from a business perspective. Entries should include example images and links to detail pages.
Introduction to OSM for Business Users
You heard about OpenStreetMap and you think it sounds interesting. You even think that OpenStreetMap might be able to help your business but you aren't quite sure where to start. This is a good place for you to start.
Can I use OpenStreetMap for Business Purposes?
Yes. The OpenStreetMap License allows commercial use.
What License? I Thought OpenStreetMap was Free?
OpenStreetMap is Free. You don't need to pay for access to the data. You might need to buy your own servers or hire your own programmers depending on how you want to use OpenStreetMap data.
The OpenStreetMap License helps us to keep improving the OpenStreetMap data. You are obliged to attribute OpenStreetMap when you use OpenStreetMap, this attribution means attributing the license as well. And you need to share improvements you make to OpenStreetMap data. We'll talk more about that below.
The OpenStreetMap License as of June 2010 is CCBYSA. Under CCBYSA, every work that you publish that contains OpenStreetMap data must also be licensed CCBYSA. To be clear, the OpenStreetMap community expects that if you put an OpenStreetMap map in your book that the map will be CCBYSA; your book may be copyright / all rights reserved or your other license of choice. - links to OSM CCBYSA page, Legal FAQ page please.
OpenStreetMap is upgrading the OpenStreetMap License to ODbL v1. This should happen in late 2010 or early 2011. Under ODbL you have more flexibility to publish the map in your book as copyright / all rights reserved. Your Share Alike obligations under ODbL pertain to the data used to create your work. LInks to legal FAQ, OSM ODbL page, ODbL uses cases please.
Can I Include OpenStreetMap on my Web Site?
Yes, but please don't overuse our web site or services. OpenStreetMap is built entirely by donations and volunteers. You can show your support for OpenStreetMap by donating http://donate.openstreetmap.org/
I Want to Put my Cafe on OpenStreetMap and OpenStreetMap on my Web Site
You should! First, make sure that your cafe is in the OpenStreetMap database. See [Beginners' Guide]
Then put OpenStreetMap on your web site. note: insert examples and links for a static map image and for an openlayers map object. What else?
If your web site is very popular, your use of our resources might hurt our other users. Popular web sites can use OpenStreetMap without impacting other users by building their own OpenStreetMap server.
How do I Put OpenStreetMap on My Web Site?
See OpenLayers and other resources.
How do I Build my Own OpenStreetMap Server?
See Minutely Mapnik and other resources.
I Want to do More. How do I Combine my Data with OpenStreetMap?
That depends on what you want to do and in some cases it depends on how you want to do it.
Derivative works vs. Collective Works
This section might need to be split into CCBYSA and ODbL sections. It probably needs a short summary to explain the difference and importance of understanding both for now.
When combining your data with OpenStreetMap data you need to be aware of the differences between Derivative Works and Collective Works. The difference effects your obligations to Share Alike.
If you combine your data with OpenStreetMap data in a Collective Work you are obligated to attribute OpenStreetMap and the OpenStreetMap License, and your Share Alike obligations for OpenStreetMap might not be triggered. See CCBYSA and ODbL differences above.
You may still have other obligations to the other data in your collective work depending on the sources of that data and the licenses relating to it.
If you combine your data with OpenStreetMap data in a Derivative Work you are obliged to Share the data in the Derivative Work.
Yes. Contribute that data to OpenStreetMap first, then use OpenStreetMap data without changing it. This way OpenStreetMap gets your improvements for everybody just as you get the benefits of improvements from everybody else.
Can I Display Trip Data on OpenStreetMap?
You have a GPX track file from a flight of your model plane, from your trip on your snow machine, or your participation in the New York Marathon and want to display the track file over OpenStreetMap.
Yes. Provide attribution for OpenStreetMap and the OpenStreetMap License. Your data is created without reference to the OpenStreetMap data.
Can I show available parking spaces on OpenStreetMap
You own several parking lots with many parking spaces. You want to show the best available parking position to each driver as they arrive at your parking lots. Can you use OpenStreetMap for this?
Yes. [To be continued]
I'm not sure if our Use is Permitted by the OpenStreetMap License
Our use isn't covered in the examples and seems to fall in a grey area. How do we do this the right way?
Ask the community by participating in a mailing list. Or ask the OpenStreetMap Foundation by contacting email address to follow.
But I can't Expose my Business Plan
You could contact a firm that offers consulting around OpenStreetMap. you could contact and individual OpenStreetMap user rather than a mailing list.
What Data Belongs in OpenStreetMap?
Location data belongs in OpenStreetMap. Ideally location data that is verifiable, significant and permanent belongs in OpenStreetMap.
| Object | Details included in OpenStreetMap | Details Not included in OpenStreetMap |
| Homes / Apartment buildings | Location, address, building outline | Homeowner, tenant names |
| Hospital | Name, location of hospital, services (emergency?), building outline | Patient records, current beds available |
| Parking lot | Capacity, outline, position of driveways, parking lanes, operator, name, etc. | How many spots are currently occupied |
| Plants | Outline of forest, garden, lawn, large or notable individual trees (matter of individual preference) | Flowers in a flower bed, individual blades of grass |
| More examples please of data that should or should not be included in OSM |
