[OSGeodata] UNOSAT - Satellite Imagery for All

[Markus Neteler]

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 <Jeroen.Ticheler at fao.org> 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
>
>
> 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
> >>
>
>


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