[OSGeodata] UNOSAT - Satellite Imagery for All

[Jeroen Ticheler]

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


On Sep 26, 2006, at 9:54 AM, Markus Neteler wrote:

> Hi Mateusz,
>
> I checked the site but didn't find a copyright statement.
> It seems to be like "free beer", not freedom. Do you know
> details?
> Example test question: Could I use those data in a formal
> training for which I get paid (so, this would be a sort of
> commercial activity then)?
>
> It would be good if UNOSAT added a clear data license.
> Maybe you friend at CERN has some insights.
>
> Best
> Markus
>
>
> On 9/26/06, Mateusz Loskot <mateusz at loskot.net> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Some time ago I found UNOSAT project and today I reminded it as
>> potential candidate of data provider in our Public Geo Data campaign.
>>
>> I believe it fits frames of OSGeo and Geodata very well:
>>
>> "UNOSAT is a United Nations programme created to provide the
>> international community and developing countries with enhanced  
>> access to
>> satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) services."
>>
>> Here is the website:
>>
>> http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/
>>
>> Free maps:
>>
>> http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp
>>
>> BTW, I'm not sure if this project is founded/lead by CERN in Geneve,
>> but it's hosted in CERN place (see Contact link).
>>
>> I have a friend working in CERN and he told me there are some GIS
>> projects founded by CERN, so may be CERN could be one of  
>> institutional
>> partners collaborating with OSGeo / Geodata projects.
>>
>> What do you think?
>>
>> Cheers
>> --
>> Mateusz Loskot
>> http://mateusz.loskot.net
>>