open flightmaps and advertising

We are not advertising driven

The open flightmaps association is a “not for profit” organization that relies on the work of a large number of unpaid voluntary contributors to source the data in the database. These people contribute their time on an altruistic basis and might be offended if they perceive that their work is being used to provide an economic benefit to a commercial company. Particularly if the commercial company in question is not part of the OFM project. They may even feel exploited, and as a result stop contributing to the OFM project. It is important to avoid such misunderstandings.

On the other hand, it is reasonable that the OFM association must reward its main sponsors and partners with the benefit of some publicity.

Consequently, this policy statement is being issued to clarify the policy of the OFM regarding advertising. The main conclusions can be summarized as follows:

All advertising that is to appear on a product, either physical or digital, must have prior authorization from the OFM. In general, this authorization will be given to the publisher of the product. Other organizations which are not primarily commercial, such as flying clubs and pilots’ associations, may also be invited to pace their logos alongside the OFM logos in certain cases. In general, this policy is intended to ensure that commercial organizations do not use the OFM project as a platform to obtain a commercial benefit. Permission must always be obtained from the OFM association, before the OFM logo can be used or displayed, for instance on a Website, a printed map, a poster, etc.. The OFMA does not envisage using advertising as a relevant source of income to fund its operations. This policy may be modified from time to time to accommodate particular situations.

Published in Salzburg on January 18, 2016 Robert Nisbet