Maps for surveys - again.

[Gary Prentice]

Where are people sourcing maps from?

 

Looking back over some old posts I've found a number of online sites where you can download large scale DWG plans at a reasonable cost. I think they're based on the OS master Map.

 

My problem is the validity of using them to provide maps for surveys (Tree condition) for clients.

 

I bought one a few weeks ago and actually read the terms and conditions of Business Use, which is really limiting. My understanding is that they are limited to such things as a map of your own premises, not for passing on to a third party.

 

Going to the OS site, you can get the same map/plan, but it's £500, which has no such terms restricting its use.

 

 

BTW, I'm not talking about 5837 surveys, just when you're having to supply your own base map and plotting the trees yourself.

[Stumpy Grinder]

I find this site useful for a 'map to ground' comparison. It is a great tool for safety surveys to locate footpaths etc for new ground that I take on for deer management.

However, you can also zoom right in on the satellite image to identify individual trees even. You can then do a screen shot and print it off, or crop it into 'paint'. Not sure of the legalities of passing it on but it isn't really identifiable!

Worth a look anyway...

https://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

SG

[Gary Prentice]

Thanks, not a site I've seen before. The scale doesn't zoom to the scales I need and I also need DWG file formats to upload into other software. I'm a bit past Paint for this particular task.

 

I'm trying to use any suitable map/plan within the terms and conditions of the provider, seeing as I'm passing them on to clients.

[Paul Melarange]

Hi Gary,

 

I hope you're doing well my friend?

 

I have been using Promap for years now. It seems to be ideal for my requirements. I purchase the map/plan as a dxf and import it into the tree management software that I use and away I go.

 

For the average domestic property you are looking at a cost of between £14 and £16 plus VAT.

 

www2.promap.co.uk

[openspaceman]

 

My problem is the validity of using them to provide maps for surveys (Tree condition) for clients.

 

I bought one a few weeks ago and actually read the terms and conditions of Business Use, which is really limiting. My understanding is that they are limited to such things as a map of your own premises, not for passing on to a third party.

 

Gary

 

I did the same as Paul Melarange but used emapsite. You only get to buy a year's licence but any paper maps you produce can be archived.

 

A licence to print OS maps can also be bought but I've never investigated this.

 

As long as the map you produce acknowledges the OS copyright the licence does allow most things, the only issue I see is if the digital mapping is used at more than one workstation.

 

Amongst other things a licence allows for:

 

 

" a report to be submitted to a regulatory body to which the Customer is

subject in order to meet that regulatory body’s requirements; and/or to include a map within any professional services provided by the Customer to its

clients, such map only to be used (in the case of a business client) for the internal

administration and operation of such client’s business."

 

Which bit of the licence can you not comply with?

[Gary Prentice]

I think I'm misunderstanding the legalese of the conditions. Pauls site includes this (the one I used may be the same)

 

 

 

 

 

Your use of the Ordnance Survey Data for Limited External Use under paragraph a.i

of this Annex 1 is subject to the following conditions:

i. any map generated in accordance with paragraph a.i of this Annexe 1 shall

not comprise:

i. a service or product in itself; or

ii. a significant part of any product or service offered by you; or

iii. a service or product provided on behalf of a third party;

 

 

So I'm assuming that the use of the plan to identify the location of a tree wouldn't be considered a 'significant part' of the service provided? That the assessment/reporting and recommendations would be that?

 

THink I'm clear now

[openspaceman]

I think I'm misunderstanding the legalese of the conditions. Pauls site includes this (the one I used may be the same)

 

 

 

 

 

Your use of the Ordnance Survey Data for Limited External Use under paragraph a.i

of this Annex 1 is subject to the following conditions:

i. any map generated in accordance with paragraph a.i of this Annexe 1 shall

not comprise:

i. a service or product in itself; or

ii. a significant part of any product or service offered by you; or

iii. a service or product provided on behalf of a third party;

 

 

So I'm assuming that the use of the plan to identify the location of a tree wouldn't be considered a 'significant part' of the service provided? That the assessment/reporting and recommendations would be that?

 

THink I'm clear now

 

I think those conditions are to stop you publishing something for selling on, like your own A-Z.

[Gary Prentice]

I think those conditions are to stop you publishing something for selling on, like your own A-Z.

 

I believe you are correct, I misinterpreted and thought you couldn't use the maps as part of a service to a third party - which would make any plan useless because they're always for a third party.

 

I'm voting for the 'Plain English in Legal Language' party next election, unless there's a 'Shoot all the Politicians and Lawyers' party:biggrin: