The Open Database License (ODbL) is a
copyleft license
Copyleft is the legal technique of granting certain freedoms over copies of copyrighted works with the requirement that the same rights be preserved in derivative works. In this sense, ''freedoms'' refers to the use of the work for any purpose, ...
agreement intended to allow users to freely share, modify, and use a
database
In computing, a database is an organized collection of data or a type of data store based on the use of a database management system (DBMS), the software that interacts with end users, applications, and the database itself to capture and a ...
while maintaining this same freedom for others.
ODbL is published by
Open Data Commons
Open data are data that are openly accessible, exploitable, editable and shareable by anyone for any purpose. Open data are generally licensed under an open license.
The goals of the open data movement are similar to those of other "open(-so ...
, which is part of
Open Knowledge Foundation
Open Knowledge Foundation (OKF) is a global, non-profit network that promotes and shares information at no charge, including both content and data. It was founded by Rufus Pollock on 20 May 2004 in Cambridge, England. It is incorporated in Engla ...
.
The ODbL was created with the goal of allowing users to share their data freely without worrying about problems relating to copyright or ownership. It allows users to freely use the data in the database, including in other databases; edit existing data in the database; and add new data to the database. The license establishes the rights of users of the database, as well as the correct procedure for attributing credit where credit is due for the data, and how to make changes or improvements in the data, thus simplifying the sharing and comparison of data.
Freedoms
* To Share: To copy, distribute and use the database.
* To Create: To produce works from the database.
* To Adapt: To modify, transform and build upon the database.
Conditions
* Attribute: You must attribute any public use of the database, or works produced from the database, in the manner specified in the ODbL. For any use or redistribution of the database, or works produced from it, you must make clear to others the license of the database and keep intact any notices on the original database.
* Share-Alike: If you publicly use any adapted version of this database, or works produced from an adapted database, you must also offer that adapted database under the ODbL.
* Keep open: If you redistribute the database, or an adapted version of it, then you may use technological measures that restrict the work (such as
digital rights management
Digital rights management (DRM) is the management of legal access to digital content. Various tools or technological protection measures, such as access control technologies, can restrict the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM ...
) as long as you also redistribute a version without such measures.
Notable uses
The
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (abbreviated OSM) is a free, Open Database License, open geographic database, map database updated and maintained by a community of volunteers via open collaboration. Contributors collect data from surveying, surveys, trace from Ae ...
(OSM) project completed the move from a
Creative Commons
Creative Commons (CC) is an American non-profit organization and international network devoted to educational access and expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has release ...
license to ODbL in September 2012 in an attempt to have more legal security and a more specific license for databases rather than creative works.
Other projects using ODbL include
OpenCorporates
OpenCorporates is a website that shares data on corporations under the copyleft Open Database Licence, Open Database License. The company, OpenCorporates Ltd, was incorporated on 18 December 2010 by Chris Taggart and Rob McKinnon, and the websit ...
,
Open Data Blend,
Open Food Facts,
Paris OpenData, and
Overture Maps.
See also
*
Sui generis database right
*
References
External links
Open Database License (ODbL)Open Data Commons.
{{Open data navbox
Licensing
Databases
Open data
OpenStreetMap
Copyleft