Technology
Who Owns What Percentage of the World Map?
Who Owns What Percentage of the World Map?
The statement, 'I own all of it. I bought it at Stanfords, the well-known map shop in central London,' suggests a peculiar assertion that could be taken in various contexts. However, breaking down this claim in modern terms requires understanding the vast market for maps and the complex ownership dynamics within it. This article aims to explore the true nature of map ownership, distribution, and the influence of companies like Stanford's on the global map market.
Understanding Map Ownership in the Digital Age
While the specific attribution to 'Stanford's' can be intriguing, it is important to recognize that the vast majority of the world's maps are not privately owned in the same way as a physical object. The world map in its entirety is, in a legal sense, an open concept, with various entities having rights to different parts. Here is a breakdown of the key players and their roles in the global map industry:
Governmental and International Bodies
Several governmental and international bodies are responsible for mapping substantial portions of the planet. These include the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Geographic Service (NGS) of the United Kingdom, and the European Union’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program. These organizations produce maps that are publicly available and serve as the foundation for many commercial and governmental uses. However, no single entity can claim ownership over the entire world in terms of map production.
Commercial Mapping Companies
Commercial mapping companies like Google Maps, Mapbox, and DeLorme are some of the major players in producing and distributing maps for digital consumption. These companies have significant portions of the market but again, they do not own the world itself. Instead, they license or buy data from a variety of sources to create their services. Google, for example, uses data from various sources including satellite imagery, public data sets, and user contributions to build its comprehensive map platform.
The Role of Retail Map Shops Like Stanford's
While retail map shops like Stanford's in London are significant in the history of mapping, they do not have exclusive or proprietary ownership rights over large areas of the world map. Instead, they play a crucial role in the distribution and sale of various map products. These shops often sell a wide range of maps, including topographic maps, atlas collections, and thematic maps focusing on specific regions or themes. The claim about Stanford's could be referring to their extensive selection of maps rather than an exclusive ownership over large areas.
Local and Regional Maps
Local and regional map companies, such as Ordnance Survey in the UK, can claim ownership of detailed maps for their respective regions. However, these maps, while detailed and comprehensive, are still part of a larger global map ecosystem. For instance, the Ordnance Survey might have significant ownership over detailed maps of the United Kingdom, but this coverage is still a fraction of the global map.
Open Source and Crowdsourced Mapping
In recent years, open source and crowdsourced mapping projects have gained significant traction. Platforms like OpenStreetMap (OSM) enable anyone to contribute to a constantly updated map of the world. While not all of the data provided by OSM is legally held by specific individuals or entities, the platform itself is a collaborative effort that empowers users around the globe to contribute and access detailed geographic information.
Infrastructure and Licensing
The infrastructure behind global mapping also involves licensing data from various satellite imagery providers (like Planet Labs and Maxar) and ground-based surveying organizations. This data is then processed and distributed through licensed agreements with companies that create the final map products. The complexity of these licensing agreements means that no single entity can claim absolute ownership over the world map.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Legal scholars and cartographers often debate the rights and permissions involved in mapping. Issues such as data privacy, intellectual property, and the right to freely use and distribute geographic information are all crucial considerations. In practice, many mapping projects aim to balance these considerations to allow for the creation of useful and accessible maps while ensuring that contributors are appropriately credited and protected.
Conclusion and Impact on the Future of Mapping
The concept of 'owning' a significant portion of the world map translates more into the control and distribution of data and images rather than legal ownership. Companies like Google, Stanford's, and many others play pivotal roles in this landscape by aggregating, processing, and presenting geographical information.
As technology continues to advance, the future of mapping will likely involve even more collaboration and sharing of data. The democratization of mapping through open-source platforms and enhanced satellite technology will undoubtedly shape how we perceive and utilize this crucial resource.