Wiki:Media file license chart

This page lists the different licences that exist to describe the files hosted on the OSM wiki, to help with choosing a license specification when uploading usual media files.

The intention with this chart is to give wiki users an overview and easy guideline what to do when uploading image files regarding an applicable license.

To keep it simple there are just limited details and a limited variety of image types with the most frequent ones. Mainly the existing license templates are the basis of the quoted licensing in the chart.

Please keep in mind that this is a community wiki page that can be modified by everybody and that it is intended to give you some guidance, but cannot substitute individual legal advice!

This page was initially created by a few users... not by members of the OSM Foundation or legal professionals!

Also, sorry that it is confusing. But complexity of copyright issues is not our fault.

Chart

Image type	Source or author	Data or content	Licensing
Photo	own shot	→	Recommend licensing methods are the Creative Commons licenses CC0 or CC-BY, first of all {{CC0-self}} or {{CC-BY-4.0-self}}. Others are CC-BY-SA, like {{CC-BY-SA-4.0-self}}. Please include also description - it is useful for both people using photo and for deciding exact licensing. Note that in some cases your own photo can be a derivative work, and it will depend on where (in which country) the photo was taken. (more...)
	Wikimedia Commons	→	Use the same as in file information on Wikimedia Commons file page. Please check if you really must upload the image to OpenStreetMap or simply use the one on Wikimedia Commons directly in the Wiki – that works the same way!
	Mapillary	→	{{CC-BY-SA-4.0|Name of photo author}} + provide link to Mapillary linking this specific view, so source can be verified. Including also {{Mapillary}} template is recommended.
	other source	→	Follow the licensing of the author. To harmonize with the Wiki, the license should match free media, such as {{PD}} Public Domain, Category:CC-0, Category:CC BY, Category:CC BY-SA.
Aerial image	Bing	→	{{Bing image}}
	Esri	→	{{Esri image}}
	Mapbox	→	{{Mapbox image}}
	Maxar (fka. DigitalGlobe)	→	{{Maxar image}}
	other source	→	Look for an existing license or clarify it before uploading.
Screenshot	OpenStreetMap Wiki	page content	{{CC-BY-SA-2.0}} + licenses of visible imagery
	OpenStreetMap	default map style	{{OSM Carto screenshot}}
		default map style, images with map data before 2012-09-12	{{OSM Carto screenshot||old_license}}
		OSM Humanitarian map style	{{OSM Humanitarian screenshot}}
		OSM Humanitarian map style, images with map data before 2012-09-12	{{OSM Humanitarian screenshot||old_license}}
		other map style	There are at least 2 parts: License for data: {{ODbL OpenStreetMap}} (If map data comes from before Sept. 12, 2012: {{CC-BY-SA-2.0 OpenStreetMap}}) License for map style: See license of the map style.
	iD editor	without imagery	{{ID screenshot}} (+ {{OpenStreetMap trademark}} if OSM logo is shown)
		with imagery	... like above, but in addition the license of the imagery (e.g. {{Bing image}} or {{Bing image portions}})
	JOSM editor	without imagery	{{JOSM screenshot without imagery}}
		with imagery	{{JOSM screenshot with imagery|LICENSE OF IMAGERY}} for example {{JOSM screenshot with imagery|{{Bing image}}}}
	other	→	Look for an existing license or clarify it before uploading.
	(more...)		Add licenses of images (e.g. photos and logos) if visible in screenshot. Commons:Screenshots documentation page at Wikimedia Commons may help.
Map	→	→	There are at least 2 parts: License for data: {{ODbL OpenStreetMap}} (If map data comes from before Sept. 12, 2012: {{CC-BY-SA-2.0 OpenStreetMap}}) License for map style: See license of the map style. See also: Screenshot, if map image is made by a screenshot.
Pictogram	own work	simple shape (below TOO)	Note that threshold of originality is an awful mess - use only when 100% sure. {{PD-shape}}
		complex design	{{CC0-self}} or {{CC-BY-4.0-self}} / {{CC-BY-SA-4.0-self}} – same method as for own photos. Note that it may be impossible to create openly-licensed work of complex design with not expired copyright.
	Wikimedia Commons	→	Use the same as in file information on Wikimedia Commons file page. Please check if you really must upload the image to OpenStreetMap or simply use the one on Wikimedia Commons directly in the Wiki – that works the same way!
	other source	simple shape (below TOO)	Note that threshold of originality is an awful mess - use only when 100% sure. {{PD-shape}} Be aware that there might be other reserved rights and legal restrictions e.g. trademarks in case of logos (more...). In that case add extra {{Trademarked}}.
		complex design	Follow the licensing of the author. To harmonize with the Wiki, the license should match free media, such as {{PD}} Public Domain, Category:CC-0, Category:CC BY, Category:CC BY-SA. Be aware that there might be other reserved rights and legal restrictions e.g. trademarks in case of logos (more...). In that case you may have to ensure Fair use and add extra {{Trademarked}}.

Annotations

Type of images

Photos

• In some cases your own photo can be a derivative work, and it will depend on where photo was taken. Countries can be without freedom of panorama.
  For example in France photo of a creative sculpture (eligible for copyright) where author has not died long time ago (not expired copyright) will be copyrighted both by photographer and author of sculpture.
  As result photos of modern creative sculptures in France cannot be freely licensed without permission from the sculptor.

• If you select license for your photo you can also select other licenses other than {{CC0-self}} or {{CC-BY-SA-4.0-self}}.

Logos

In most cases logos are unfree and protected by copyrights or trademarks. Even if they are published under a shareable license, there can exist trademark rights. Therefore upload and use of logos should be done advisedly. It is a good idea to examine whether the use could fall under a free use like Fair use and to give an explanation with the uploaded file. This could fit use cases in which the logo is used as a link as part of a presentation of a service or application. Please provide the source of the file and the name of the holder of copyright or trademark along with the explanation. You could also ask the owner about usage.

Screenshots

With all screenshots: If images are visible, such as photos and logos, you should also add the licenses of those images in addition to screenshot license.

OSM maps

"Old" license before Sept. 12, 2012

If screenshot or image shows OpenStreetMap data or maps, published before September 12, 2012, then old licensing of OpenStreetMap applies. See documentation of license template how to set old license. E.g. {{OSM Carto screenshot||old_license}}, {{JOSM screenshot without imagery|old_license}}, {{JOSM screenshot with imagery|LICENSE OF IMAGERY|old_license}}.

Clarify license

If there is no license provided with the source image or you don't know which license applies, you have to clarify the use. There are different steps depending on the type of image. Some are:

• Ask the author or source whether and how to use and license the image or file.
• Look for the licensing of similar cases.
  • Category:Files by license
  • Category:Media without a license
• Examine whether the use could fall under a free use like Fair use. Please give an explanation with the uploaded file.
• Ask and discuss the upload and use on the Wiki: Talk:Wiki

Other helpful materials

Wikimedia Commons has different policies than OSM Wiki but their description of factual situation tends to be well written, accurate and one of best resources available without paying for a lawyer. Their community is far larger and better informed than people trying to handle this topic on OSM Wiki. See for example https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Licensing