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I received this reply from HMSO concerning Crown copyright. It seems that HM Government's opinion is that Crown Copyright is not compatible with the GFDL.

I'm not really surprised, but ... "Signalman, hoist 'Bummer Zulu.'"

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Dear Mr Barrett

Thank you for your letter of 7 July which was addressed to Carol Tullo (Controller and Queen's Printer).

HMSO's policy is to encourage the re-use of government information. A large amount of the material that is published on government websites is considered "core" information and this can be reproduced at no charge under the terms of HMSO's on-licence known at the Click-Use Licence. Here is a direct link to the licence terms:

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/copyright/licences/core/core_licence.htm

You will see at paragraph 6.2 that there is an obligation on any holder of a Click-Use Licence to ensure that the users of the licensee's products/services are given an end-user licence to enable them to use the Crown copyright material that is included in the product/service.

As I understand it the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License mean that you are not able to pass on the obligations of our licence to the users of your open content encyclopaedia (the end user). If that is the case you would not be meeting the terms of our licence. If you are able to meet the terms of our licence then there are no obstacles to you using core Crown copyright material from government websites on your open content encyclopaedia.

I hope this note has clarified the query raised in your letter to Mrs Tullo.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Eeles Licensing Manager HMSO St Clements House 2-16 Colegate Norwich NR3 1BQ

Tel 01603 723009 Fax 01603 723000

Her Majesty's Stationery Office - delivers access and reuse of government information through innovative e-services at www.hmso.gov.uk

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- -- ~ Sean Barrett | Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et ~ sean@epoptic.com | tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur! ~ | [Those green pants go so well with ~ | that pink shirt and the plaid jacket!]