Legal aspects of geospatial information refers to the legal requirements and restrictions governing the use of geographic information, including information generated through geographic information systems (GIS). There are six key legal issues associated with geospatial information:

  • Liability (contract and tort)
  • Public access to, use, and ownership of geoinformation and geographic data
  • Intellectual property rights
  • Copyright
  • Spatial data privacy
  • Evidentiary admissibility of GIS products

Liability

Liability laws apply to organizations that use, sell, or give geographic information as well as to purveyors of GIS software. U.S. courts have held GIS providers liable and determined that they should bear some financial responsibility for damages if their actions result in mistakes that damage or harm others. Evolving case law deals with GIS such as aeronautical and navigational maps, subjecting them ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles