Hi Charles,

Does this relate specifically to using maps from the Gateway, do you know?

If so, with regard to use of the maps, they can be used as long as there are data appearing on them, so as long as there are dots on them it is okay, but then I don't imagine anyone would want them without data!  The copyright line must, however, be included as shown below. This appears under every map.

"copyright C Crown Copyright. All rights reserved NERC 100017897 2004"

If mention could be made that they came from the NBN Gateway (www.searchnbn.net) that would be great too.

Depending on how the maps/data are being used then I would also suggest that the data provider be credited, but it depends on whether the query does relate to the Gateway maps.

Hope this helps.

Mandy

Hi Charles,

I have looked into this further and have sought the advice of Oliver who, having reviewed the license agreement, has advised me as follows:

"The licence states that the map tiles may be used only in connection with not for profit activities, and a publication is unlikely to be deemed not-for-profit. Secondly the Tiles are only for use with the NBN software tool Recorder 2002 and related NBN products.
They must not be used for any other activity or business that may be undertaken by the User unless by specific prior permission of the Licensee. The Licensee is JNCC and as they are no longer part of the OS Pan Government Agreement they are unable to grant the permission required."

Sorry that this is probably not what your enquirer wanted to hear, but at least it clarifies the position for any further queries.

Regards,
Mandy

Charles,

The OS maps circulated for use in Recorder have quite a long story behind them, but here goes....

Sir John Burnett (when he was chairman) and I met with OS CEX (long gone) and convinced him that it would be a fine thing if OS made their maps available to recorders for free or at a reduced cost.  After the OS commercial people became involved, this mutated into map tiles for use in Recorder on the basis that the file format used for map tiles in Recorder was not compatible with GIS systems or anything else as far as I can gather.  We undertook to log who received the map tiles so that OS could check up if they so desired (they never have). This further evolved to the OS map tiles being subsumed under the first pan government agreement and JNCC's part within it.  JNCC decided not to particiaptae in the recent reworking of this agreemnt because of cost.

Part of the agreement was based on the premise that LRC would have their own arrangements with OS for use of OS products - our arrangements were for individual recorders NOT organisations.  Implicit in your posting is that you do not have such arrangements for your LRC which surprises me.  OS map tiles supplied by the NBNT for use in recorder should not be used for publications - this is contrary to our present arrangement with OS.

Another point worth noting is that many recorders also run small freelance consulting businesses and have nowhere near the money available to pay to extortionate OS prices. It's a shame that these guys can't make use of the tiles either.

Charles