Comments on: Edmonton Sun violates the EPS Crime Map Terms of Use http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/ The official blog of Mack D. Male, an Edmonton blogger. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Another Approach http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145856 Another Approach Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:03:51 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145856 If you really want the data, just submit a FOIP request for the raw database data and then analyze/summarize the information yourself. I have no idea how they would be able to attach any "licencing restrictions" to data disclosed through FOIP. And while they might argue there are privacy implications stemming from disclosing the raw data, which there probably are, this might be a hard argument for them to support given that they already effectively publicize the information via the map website. If you really want the data, just submit a FOIP request for the raw database data and then analyze/summarize the information yourself. I have no idea how they would be able to attach any “licencing restrictions” to data disclosed through FOIP. And while they might argue there are privacy implications stemming from disclosing the raw data, which there probably are, this might be a hard argument for them to support given that they already effectively publicize the information via the map website.

]]> By: Victoria Handysides http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145505 Victoria Handysides Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:35:21 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145505 I can't speak for any other organization, but I know that when I saw all the data, I started drooling at all the possibilities for story ideas. Though, all we were permitted to print was the fact the site exists, and not what it contains (as per the Terms of Use). Was it frustrating, yes. Was it unclear, no. I can’t speak for any other organization, but I know that when I saw all the data, I started drooling at all the possibilities for story ideas.

Though, all we were permitted to print was the fact the site exists, and not what it contains (as per the Terms of Use).

Was it frustrating, yes. Was it unclear, no.

]]> By: Adam Snider http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145184 Adam Snider Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:49:28 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145184 I definitely suspect that what Devin described is what happened. In fact, I was going to post almost the exact same comment. I definitely suspect that what Devin described is what happened. In fact, I was going to post almost the exact same comment.

]]> By: Mack D. Male http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145146 Mack D. Male Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:31:35 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145146 Actually Devin, I'm assuming that what you described is exactly what happened. That's what I meant about them getting off the hook! Actually Devin, I’m assuming that what you described is exactly what happened. That’s what I meant about them getting off the hook!

]]> By: Devin Serink http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145142 Devin Serink Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:39:02 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145142 I share your opinion regarding how the data should be licensed, but what could/should be aside, you missed a possibility: that they knew perfectly well about the licensed, and simply chose to ignore it. They aren't exactly building a mashup, so I suspect it's pretty tenuous as to whether or not a court would actually uphold those terms against a media entity quoting some basic statistics from a public organization's own tool. Chances are, the EPS would rather let it slide and enjoy a little free publicity for the tool than to go ahead and test this in a courtroom against a media company (and one that isn't against above taking sucker punches at that). I share your opinion regarding how the data should be licensed, but what could/should be aside, you missed a possibility: that they knew perfectly well about the licensed, and simply chose to ignore it. They aren’t exactly building a mashup, so I suspect it’s pretty tenuous as to whether or not a court would actually uphold those terms against a media entity quoting some basic statistics from a public organization’s own tool.

Chances are, the EPS would rather let it slide and enjoy a little free publicity for the tool than to go ahead and test this in a courtroom against a media company (and one that isn’t against above taking sucker punches at that).

]]> By: Mack D. Male http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145125 Mack D. Male Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:29:51 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145125 Yup, I agree! But open data shouldn't be restricted to the public sector, and private organizations will look at what the EPS, the City, and others have done as examples. Yup, I agree! But open data shouldn’t be restricted to the public sector, and private organizations will look at what the EPS, the City, and others have done as examples.

]]> By: Eric Warnke http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145124 Eric Warnke Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:26:06 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145124 I believe, and I think you'll agree, that licensing data should be the last thing any publicly funded organization thinks about. It should just be available. I believe, and I think you’ll agree, that licensing data should be the last thing any publicly funded organization thinks about. It should just be available.

]]> By: Mack D. Male http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145123 Mack D. Male Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:22:26 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145123 No, but I think this is a good learning opportunity for everyone involved. I hope that this example will make it easier for other organizations that start to open up data to realize that licensing is a real concern that should be considered from the beginning. No, but I think this is a good learning opportunity for everyone involved. I hope that this example will make it easier for other organizations that start to open up data to realize that licensing is a real concern that should be considered from the beginning.

]]> By: Eric Warnke http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/comment-page-1/#comment-145120 Eric Warnke Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:07:14 +0000 http://blog.mastermaq.ca/2009/12/30/edmonton-sun-violates-the-eps-crime-map-terms-of-use/#comment-145120 Mack, are you afraid of the EPS suing you or something? Just use the damn data. Mack, are you afraid of the EPS suing you or something? Just use the damn data.

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