[odc-discuss] An attribution-only version of the open database license

Wed Nov 18 10:03:02 UTC 2009

Hi,

SteveC wrote:
> I think the ODbL needs and deserves the spectrum of options a-la CC, including NC.

I don't think the NC licenses are any good. I think NC licenses are 
abused a lot to take the old "crippled shareware" concept and transfer 
it to data, while giving data providers the air of being "open".

One of the raisons d'etre of open licenses is that they to provide clear 
guidance about what is allowed and what not, and allow maximum 
interoperability. I don't see any of that with NC licenses. Definitions 
of "commercial" activity vary broadly (Student with web site paying for 
his server space through banner ads? City council? University 
department? Incorporated university department? Incorporated university 
department that also takes on jobs from the outside? ...) - I'd rather 
not provide more opportunity for NC minded people to call themselves 
"open" because they aren't.

Bye
Frederik