Foundation/AGM2023/Election to Board/Answers and manifestos/Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
- How do you view Overture in relation to the OSM community?
- How will you ensure that OpenStreetMap data remains equitable and fair in its usage, especially with the potential influence of large-scale corporations like Overture?
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Related link added on 2023-11-20 for members: Overture Maps on the OSM wiki.
Roland Olbricht - Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
Again, three questions in one need to be disentangled.
First, OpenStreetMap data will remain available under the ODbL, and keeping it technically downloadable is the core mission of the OSMF.
Second, Overture is neither a large corporation in itself nor aiming to directly influence OpenStreetMap. There are large corporations behind Overture, and independently Overture may or may not try to supplant downstream usage of OpenStreetMap. If we do not want that to happen then we do need to make the better offering. Like it or not, many downstream users are incapable to direct digest OpenStreetMap data. So if we want or wanted to keep Overture out of the loop we need to offer preprocessed data that is suitable for downstream users.
Most likely, this is not good user of OSMF resources for two reasons: we compete with many existing offerings from companies that partly make their living from that and back-support OpenStreetMap. Second, there is no distinguished best solution, but many variants where the sum of all could outcompete Overture - or just create the broad choice of offerings where Overture then is one of.
This does not rule out that the OSMF shall speak up or intervene on some specific topics.
Thirdly, there is no evidence of a industry plot to extinguish OpenStreetMap. It is much more likely that strategic movement of large corporations or parts thereof could damage OpenStreetMap in some way. A blunt example is if a supporter gets bankrupt - this is simply out of our control. More grey examples are strategy changes, conflicting strategies in general, or people just not understanding OpenStreetMap. The best bet against that is on the one hand to seek out communications early to fathom developments.
On the other hand, it is important to stay financially as independent as possible. This is achieved best by limiting the maximum contribution by a single entity to the maximum level that we could sustain to suddenly lose. In addition, there must be contingency planning for all non-fiscal donations and services by external entities.
Guillaume Rischard - Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
I would like to see an Overture Foundation that actively engages with the community, promotes the usage of enriched OpenStreetMap data, produces useful new data derived from open datasets, helps contribute them back into OpenStreetMap when appropriate, supports the OpenStreetMap Foundation financially and technically, and releases great software that allows others to enrich, remix and use OpenStreetMap data more easily.
Overture hasn't reached out, or contributed funding or resources to the OpenStreetMap Foundation - maybe it will reassure the person asking the question that they don't seem interested in any potential influence. They did sponsor SotM EU, which is cool.
In any case, we will ensure that the attribution and share-alike parts of the ODbL get respected. These are important not for ego, but to bring new mappers and ensure the quality of the map.
I think that Overture has identified legitimate needs from data users. There are already many data brokers who polish and repackage OpenStreetMap data. OpenStreetMap should aim to understand the desires of its data users better. I will go into detail in my manifesto.
Daniela (Dani) Waltersdorfer Jimenez - Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
I interpret Overture to be a side project that compliments OpenStreetMap. I don't see it as a threat, but I'm happy to learn more from those who may see it as such and have a discussion about it. Overture can also be seen as a way to engage more folks into our community and as such work towards making it more diverse, inclusive and equitable. There certainly are people out there who I'm sure would love to be engaged with the OpenStreetMap community but perhaps we have not been able to reach them yet. Overture could be a pathway to reach them.
Włodzimierz Bartczak - Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
I would like to think that the Overture Foundation will become part of the ecosystem around OSM. Our greatest strength is our community of editors, and as long as we are united, the project will not be at risk. Therefore, transparency of activities undertaken by OSMF and individual national organizations in cooperation with external entities is crucial.
Ivo Reano - Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
Overture represents a great economic opportunity for the foundation, but I believe it will be difficult to maintain an ethically correct approach.
OSM Foundation's board election 2023: official questions
Q01 Strategic Plan
| Q02 On imagery sources
| Q03 On Diversity and Inclusion
| Q04 On Fundraising
| Q05 On appointive board-adjacent positions
| Q06 OSMF and Overture Maps Foundation
| Q07 OSM Data: Protection
| Q08 OSM Data: Legal Threats
| Q09 OSM Data: Vandalism
All board candidates' manifestos
2023 OpenStreetMap Foundation's: Board election - Voting information and instructions - Annual General Meeting
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