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Copying Ordnance Survey paper mapping

Ordnance Survey paper mapping is protected by Crown Copyright.  We have delegated authority from The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office to decide the terms and conditions under which our customers can copy our paper maps.  This can be done in a number of ways, subject to your particular circumstances.

Paper Map Copying Licence

Should you require the use of our mapping for the internal administration of your organisation with limited external usage, you'll require our Paper Map Copying Licence.  In summary, subject to the applicable fee being paid, this Licence allows our customers to:

  • Copy unlimited amounts of original Ordnance Survey mapping to support their day-to-day business administration.
  • Make copies of mapping in either paper or electronic form – although electronic copies are subject to some specific rules
  • Include copies of mapping in leaflets, in brochures and on web pages, subject to the rules set out in the Licence.
  • Use copies of mapping as part of a professional service, subject to the rules set out in the Licence.
  • Copy Ordnance Survey mapping in all offices where your business operates, subject to the applicable fee payable for that number of offices.
  • Copy mapping based on Ordnance Survey mapping produced by another publisher, subject to you obtaining permission to copy the mapping involved directly from that publisher.

 Annual Licence Fee:

Your annual licence fee will be calculated according to the number of offices/premises for which you buy a licence.

Apply on-line for this licence

Renew your Paper Map Copying Licence

Alternatively, please contact one of our partners to obtain a licence.

Publishing Licence

A Publishing Licence is required for customers who wish to reproduce our mapping within a publication which is either for sale or distributed free of charge.  Publications are defined as, but not limited to, books, newsletters, leaflets, brochures, catalogues, journals, etc.  A licence is granted for single publications only, with reprints and new editions requiring a seperate licence and royalty payment.

The Publishing Licence is best suited to those customers only wishing to produce occasional, one off publications in small quantities.  Should you intend reproducing mapping in publications on a regular basis you may wish to consider applying for a Printed Products Contract under our Framework Contract (Partners).

Licence fees are calculated based on the total amount of mapping used and the number of copies of the publication printed and varies for facimille and redrawn mapping. 

For more information please read our

 Publishing Licence Information Leaflet.

Apply on-line for this licence 

If you prefer not to apply online then you can download, complete and return our

standard application form. 

Please note customers wishing to reproduce redrawn mapping must submit a copy of the mapping with their application.

Upon acceptance of your application form an invoice for the fee due and your licence will be sent to you.  You must have received a licence from Ordnance Survey before you print your publication.  Before applying we recommend that you view a copy of our

Publishing Licence.

View our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Please note: If you intend publishing a map whch has been sourced from OS OpenData™ you will not require a publishing licence. There is a separate licence that covers the use of OS OpenData™ products:

OS OpenData™ Products.  

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