----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Perkes" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 5:52:55 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Re: Map reproduction/use licensing policies
You might want to check the public records access laws in your state/province. Many government-produced records are declared public by statute, which means anyone can ask for them and do what they want with them. You may want to adopt rules about how someone cites your organization as the creator of the record, but public domain and FOIA rules usually allow people to use your stuff. Formal fees for use may be published in statute or local ordinance, so check to see if those already exist. In my state, you can't just charge a fee arbitrarily for a government record.
Elizabeth Perkes
Electronic Records Archivist
Utah State Archives
346 South Rio Grande
Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1106
801-531-3852
[log in to unmask]
The State Archives' hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and closed on Friday. Please make a note of these hours.
>>> Angie Cope <[log in to unmask]> 12/9/09 4:36 PM >>>
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Justin Kraemer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: "Justin Kraemer" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 2:00:59 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Map reproduction/use licensing policies
I work for a county government that publishes a popular GIS-based large-
scale fold-out tourist map with a print run of 100,000 per year. It is
loaded with things to see and do in the twin county area. It is
distributed free of charge, and is financed through the tax base and local
chambers of commerce. It contains no advertisements.
We have been approached by a private company interested in creating an
adventure guide book using excerpts of our map as a base to overlay
locations of specific outdoor activities. They will charge a fee for their
book, and will also sell advertising in it.
To date we have only allowed non-profit groups to use the map, and even
then they are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and applicants must sign
a license agreement. We are trying to establish a policy that can be
applied in a commercial scenario. There is debate about whether or not we
should charge for commercial map use, or whether we should even allow it
at all. The concern is about losing control of a recognizable brand, but
on the other hand, if it increases tourism, it's a good thing. I am
curious if anyone else is in a similar situation. How did you handle it?
Thanks,
Justin
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