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Licences and agreements explained

We offer the following licences:

OS OpenData™ 

Ordnance Survey makes a number of raster and vector datasets available free of charge under the terms of an OS OpenData Licence.  The OS OpenData licence allows you to: 

  • copy, distribute and transmit the data;
  • adapt the data; and

  • exploit the data commercially.

OS OpenSpace® 

The OS OpenSpace service is free of charge and enables web applications to be built using datasets that are hosted by Ordnance Survey.  It is available for use by anyone – including commercial organisations – and enables web applications with a wide variety of functionality to be created.

Derived Data and Free to Use Terms 

We have introduced new terms on the creation and use of derived data by our licensees, some of which now permit the use of derived data free of charge (subject to terms and conditions). 

Framework Contract (Direct Customers)

Users wishing to use our products for their day-to-day internal business use may licence digital map data directly from Ordnance Survey under the terms of the Framework Contract (Direct Customers).  This defines the overarching terms and conditions of the commercial relationship between the user and Ordnance Survey. It is underpinned with Data Contracts for each product being licensed.

Framework Contract (Partners)

This is required if you wish to exploit Ordnance Survey data commercially in your own value-added products and services or wish to resell/distribute our data. This licence is underpinned with Partner Contracts which cover each type of product or service developed.

Framework Trade Agreement

If you wish to resell our paper maps through your retail outlet or you are a  wholesaler wishing to distribute our maps then you will require this licence.

Multi-Client Contractor Licence

This licence is designed for companies working as contractors to government departments and/or local authorities.  It enables such companies to obtain Ordnance Survey data directly from us to use for their contract work rather than receive separate datasets from the licensees that they are contracted to.

Addressing Multi Contractor Agreement – Public Sector

The “Addressing Multi Contractor Agreement - Public Sector” enables Contractors to hold one copy of our Addressing Datasets (excluding NLPG) and supply the same (either in whole or in part) to multiple Public Sector Mapping Services (PSMA) and One Scotland Mapping Agreement (OSMA) members.

Data Management Services Licence

We wish to promote increased innovation in services based on Ordnance Survey Data.  This licence is designed for companies who wish to develop web based data management or hosting services.  It allows organisations to deliver innovative online services to customers using new technologies.

Paper Map Copying Licence

This licence permits the use of our mapping for the internal administration of your organisation with some limited external display rights.

Publishing Licence

Should you wish to reproduce our mapping within a publication, in paper or electronic form, which may either be for sale or free distribution, you will require a Publishing Licence.

Innovation Licences

We offer three licences which enable customers to acquire sample data free of charge (subject to terms and conditions) for the purpose of testing, evaluating and demonstrating our data.  Click on the link above for full details.

Licensing for education

If you represent a school, college or university, please see our Education page.

Media Licence

If you would like to use our maps in a newspaper, a TV programme or film then you can do so under the terms of our Media Licence.

Licensing under collective purchasing agreements

Please refer to the relevant sector page if you represent central goverment, local government or a utility or infrastructure body.

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For general enquiries, complaints, feedback or suggestions, email: customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk or call us on 08456 05 05 05