Ordnance Survey Maps Licence
Ordnance Survey maps are subject to Crown Copyright which lasts for fifty years from the date of publication. However, the University of Portsmouth has a licence to reproduce Ordnance Survey mapping for teaching, lecturing, examination and research purposes.
What the licence permits
- The size of facsimile copies (i.e. completely unamended Ordnance Survey maps reproduced at or near original scale) is limited to 625 sq cms (approximately A4 size) at the scale of 1:25000 or smaller. There is no restriction on the size of copies made from Ordnance Survey large-scale maps i.e. 1:10000, 1:2500 and 1:1250 scales.
- The above size limits do not apply to copies of material which is redrawn, substantially amended or show considerable additions, nor to black and white prints taken from small scale maps.
- Each reproduction must bear the following acknowledgement to the Ordnance Survey: “Reproduced from the ….. (1) Ordnance Survey ……. (2) map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. University of Portsmouth ED243663”
(1) = the year of publication
(2) = the name and scale of the map, for example, Landranger 1:50000 - If reproduction is not limited to OS material, replace the words “Reproduced from” with “Based upon” in the acknowledgement. For a finished reproduction of less than A4, the note “© Crown copyright” and the licence number (ED243663) will be enough.
- Where Crown Copyright material older than 50 years is being copied, please use the acknowledgement:
“Reproduced from ……. (year of publication) Ordnance Survey map”.
