[Board] OKF / OSGeo response to the consultation on opening Ordnance Survey data

[Frank Warmerdam]

Jo Walsh wrote:
> dear Board,
> 
> As you may have heard, there's a public consultation running in the UK 
> on options for open licensing national mapping data maintained by 
> Ordnance Survey.
> 
> There's been some discussion on the OSGeo-UK list and the Open Knowledge 
> Foundation list about a shared response to the consultation.
> 
> Here's the near-final draft, which I am basically happy with.
> 
> http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATJnv_t9ROmXZGN0Yjk3ampfMjBmM2ZqZnpkMg&hl=en 
> 
> 
> The consultation outlines 3 options: 1) is Do Nothing, 2) is Open 
> Everything, 3) is "staged release" of some products including postcode 
> geolocations (critical in the UK as a postal code is typically less than 
> a city block in size) and adminstrative boundaries.
> 
> The response sets the case for a modified Option 2, all raw vector data.
> 
> Talked about this with Tyler, who thinks that there should be a Board 
> approval stage for this to go out under the banner of OSGeo.
> 
> Deadline for the response is March 17th, but it would be great to 
> publish it within the next week, so it can be circulated and perhaps 
> have a chance of influencing others' responses.
> 
> Can this be done on a "speak if not satisfied within several days, 
> otherwise approval by default" basis?

Jo,

It appears that the letter of support protocol is the most appropriate
one to apply in this case:

   http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Protocol_for_requesting_letter_of_support

I would suggest that you follow this model.  When a motion is approved
by the board, I would suggest we include a note that we authorize Jo
to make editorial and other improvements to the document that do not
substantially alter it's intent.

I have reviewed the document and I am very comfortable with it.  It seems
very much in line with OSGeo's position on open geodata.  I must say I'm
also very encouraged at the potential for progress on open geodata in
the UK.  Tight control of OS data has been an irritant to me for years.

Best regards,
-- 
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I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent