I just completed updating the speed limits in Laval (changed since late 2023). Most 60 were converted to 50, 50 to 40 and 40 to 30. I used the new map on the city’s website: https://www.laval.ca/Documents/Pages/Fr/Citoyens/transport-deneigement-et-travaux/mesures-apaisement-circulation/carte-limite-vitesse.pdf?_gl=1*10l03h5*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwv7O0BhDwARIsAC0sjWPFYUqyWRsQVlH6iD1o6t4WVpGl3A9J3V8oGMUEXvD8PhkLXAFYBEkaAgJREALw_wcB
Hard work but at the same time I updated most lanes tag that were missing and added some stop types to stops (not yet completed). I also fixed some new oneway streets and made sure there was a surface=asphalt/other tag on every official road (there still work to do on access roads and footpath/cycleways). I also removed the old canvec source and attribution tags since this was old data that was updated multiple times by multiple users.
If you find any error, feel free to tell me. I think the city has not yet completed replacing the speed limit signs yet, so do not check on streetview images except if they are very new (2024 or later) and up to date. Thanks!
By the way: I wish every municipality did publish a similar map so we could update/validate speed limits on every streets, but this is quite rare unfortunately. Some Montreal boroughs did in the past but data is obsolete now for most of them. I also checked speed limits in “official” Addresses Quebec with Routes data, but there are so many errors/obsolete data in these files that I will just ignore them.
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It was my understanding that we should not use StreetView at all, because of the license?
I use « street view » as a generic term for pictures taken from the street. Anyway using street view image from any provider, commercial or not, is not copyrighted because these pictures are taken from public streets and thus are inside the range of fair use if you do not resell them. Aerial photography is another matter because it needs a specific license to take them, either using a plane or a commercial drone, which can be copyrighted.
Anyway using street view image from any provider, commercial or not, is not copyrighted because these pictures are taken from public streets and thus are inside the range of fair use
afaik fair use is not a concept we can build upon in OpenStreetMap because it is only recognized in North America
I feel it is OK to use any street view images in Canada or the US for OpenStreetMap. The fact that it is not in the law elsewhere do not block its usage where it is permitted in my opinion. If we follow your logic, we cannot use OpenStreetMap anywhere because at least one country (a.k. China) and some others prohibit its usage for their citizens.
Anyway, the street view image itself could be copyrighted, but the street signs, the shop signs and any info found on a street view image is not copyrighted and is public domain or owned by the shop owner. If we block the usage of street view images for validation purposes, this would mean we cannot add any shop name to openstreetmap, because these are copyrighted or trademarked. People have for years mixed two different things: an image/photo itself and the content that can be seen on it. The image itself (the photo or any other art work) is protected and copyrighted and cannot be copied, modified or resold without the owner approval. However, the content of the image, if there is no confidential information in it, is never protected.
Worse that that, it’s only in the USA. Some posters here appear to be posting from the “51st state” already 
The equivalent legal concept in legal systems formerly integrated with or derived from the systems in the UK is “fair dealing”.
I can’t comment about Canada (I’m not a lawyer, and certainly not a Canadian one) but in some jurisdictions Freedom of panorama is a thing.
Please be careful trying to “push the envelope” about legal issues - OSM has historically tried to avoid legal confrontations by being “whiter than white” (especially where any other lawyers are likely to be far better funded than OSM’s. If in doubt, contact the LWG with details of what you are proposing.
I understand the issues here. I use street view imagery only to confirm a speed limit or a shop name. I do not suggest to map using street view imagery wit AI or other method.
I can’t comment about Canada (I’m not a lawyer, and certainly not a Canadian one) but in some jurisdictions Freedom of panorama is a thing.
speaking about google streetview, the terms of service do not allow use to build a map database iirr, and freedom of panorama allows to take the pictures but not to reuse the pictures (which from what I understand in the EU even without the ToS would be protected by the sui generis directive).
Chinese law is not relevant for OpenStreetMap, because it is registered in London, US and EU law may be relevant because the data should be compatible for use in these jurisdictions because there is significant influence from mappers and companies, but for China I think it is considered to be impossible offering free data under the current legal situation. Also like SomeoneElse wrote, there is a whiter than white approach to avoid gray areas.