OpenStreetMap
How to switch from 'public domain' to 'ODbL'
Posted by 0liver on 15 June 2012 in English. Last updated on 21 August 2012.I have chosen ‘public domain’ about one year ago.
But now, I am convinced that ‘ODbL’ would be better.
However, I cannot change that any more !!!
Please, tell me what should I do to choose ‘ODbL’?
EDIT:
Thanks to your answers, I can say all contributions use the same license as the whole OSM database. Currently it is CC-BY-SA. Then, for users agreeing the new Contributor Terms, their contributions will be re-licensed ODbL, even if they have chosen Public Domain. No need to create a new account :-)
Please, read my details on OSM Help: http://help.openstreetmap.org/questions/4833/can-you-change-your-contributor-terms/15332
Discussion
Comment from andygol on 16 June 2012 at 07:03
You need to create new account and contribute under ODBl. You can`t change previous contribution from ‘public domain’ to ‘ODbL’. Data to be made of the new account will be licensed under ODBl.
Comment from Zverik on 16 June 2012 at 08:16
“Public Domain” checkbox is not a some form of a legal agreement. It is there only to collect statistics and does not bind you in any way. All your contributions are, and will be under ODbL, until the community as a whole decides to move to a different license.
Comment from Sanderd17 on 16 June 2012 at 13:57
The data that is distributed under public domain will stay public domain.
That means that, if someone already copied it, he has the right to keep it and do with it what he wants. So you can never complain when you see someone using that data.
If you now untick that box, you will redistribute everything under ODBL. So everything new will be under ODBL.
Comment from chillly on 18 June 2012 at 17:16
OSM has no published PD licence. PD is not available in most of the world - you need to use a licence such as CC-0. If you signed up to the new licence and terms, your data will be licensed under ODbL along with everyone else’s. Checking the PD box was more a statement of wishes rather than an actual choice of a different licence.
Anyone who copies any data from the OSM database as PD using the fact that the author declared their work as PD is not respecting the OSM licence. Currently the data is CC BY-SA and soon it will be ODbL, there are no other options.
If you receive a copy of Oliver’s contributions from Oliver he can licence his work any way he wants because he still holds the copyright to that work.