Using Bing imagery to locate POI

General talk
1

Checking use of third party data here.

I have a source that gives me a picture from Bing of a POI I’m interested in: - UK Mosque Searcher

I can use open government data to confirm the name and other info that might be copyright by the person who compiled that database: Harlow Islamic Centre - 298944 (though the address may not be usable, because it may include Royal Mail data - will steer clear)

I also have the POI’s own website: https://harlowislamiccentre.org.uk/

Is it legit to use the Bing image to locate the POI on an aerial view in iD, in order to put the node in the right place? I wouldn’t do this using Google, but I think Bing licence may be more forgiving?

2

You can use Bing aerial imagery for OSM editing, see File:Bing license.pdf - OpenStreetMap Wiki

that is why it is included in OSM editors

but this does not allow you to take POI data from various sources not allowing you to do so, even if POI locating step would be fine, for sources you mentioned I prefer to not gave advise. Please verify you can use them before mapping with them. Note that we are not allowed to use some “open” data sources.

you are also not allowed to copy Bing Maps, IIRC.

3

Thanks.

The charity database is ok to use as long as we don’t use the address part - that has been through Royal Mail proprietary validation (or at least, may have been):

More context on the later posts on that thread.

So my process would be:

  1. Find mosque in the database at UK Mosque/Masjid Directory - via Google Maps, your mobile or your navigator (POI) (no suitable licence
  2. Use Bing imagery displayed on that site to identify the building
  3. Find that building on Bing aerial in iD
  4. Cross-reference to the Charity Register (suitable licence)
  5. Add to the map: location comes from Bing, name comes from Charity Register; both are suitably licensed.

Ok?

4

can you use location? is it derived from address by any chance making it tainted?

5

I would think that is ok, although it’s a slightly different case (ie, not using the Muslims In Britain db.).

For example:

  1. Charity register lists Sometown Mosque at 15 Main Street
  2. I look at Main Street using Bing aerial on iD
  3. Some addresses are already there - say 10, 7, 23.
  4. That allows me to look roughly where 15 would be.
  5. Aerial clearly shows a large building with parking (surrounded by terraced houses)
  6. I conclude this is the mosque, and add it to the map, name=Sometown Mosque
  7. I don’t tag the address itself, because that would be copying from the non-licensed parts of the charity register.

Your opinion?

6

I am not a lawyer, but if you cannot conclude solely and only from aerial imagery that it is mosque then you effectively copy location data from original source (where location data appears to be tainted)

I would suggest to not do this, but I am not going to claim it is surely illegal

I think that going to location and mapping what you see should be fine

7

Ok, thanks.

What about triangulating with the mosque’s own website, as well or instead?

eg1, they show a picture of the mosque that allows me to confirm which building visible on aerial is the mosque: I locate the mosque using the building I can see on Bing, which is ok; I am guided to that building by their photo. (The relationship is usually not obvious: I have to do a bit of careful reading of the photos.)

eg2, they give their address on their website, and I use that for Step 1 above/

8

actually this quote answers my later question.

my current thoughts based on what you’ve said:

  1. I can use iffy sources to point me to a place on aerial to examine
  2. if examination of that area on aerial clearly shows a mosque, I can map the mosque