OS Licensing Explained for Professionals

Written by Stefani Mavrou on

If you use MasterMap®, 1:1250 or 1:2500 mapping in your work, you are using licensed Ordnance Survey data.

Understanding how OS licensing works is essential for architects, planners, engineers and consultants who rely on accurate, legally compliant mapping.

This guide explains:

  • What an Ordnance Survey licence actually covers

  • What you are allowed to do with OS data

  • What you are not allowed to do

  • How licensed suppliers such as MapServe® fit into the process

Quick Summary

Ordnance Survey digital maps are copyrighted datasets.

When you purchase mapping:

  • You receive a licence to use the data

  • Copyright remains with Ordnance Survey

  • Usage must comply with licence terms

  • Redistribution is restricted

Licensed suppliers such as MapServe® provide compliant access to OS datasets in professional formats including DWG, DXF and PDF.

Who Owns OS Mapping Data?

Ordnance Survey (OS) is Great Britain’s national mapping authority.

All datasets including MasterMap®, large-scale mapping and terrain data are protected by Crown copyright.

This means:

  • You do not “own” the map

  • You license the right to use it

  • Use is governed by specific legal terms

For official licensing information, refer to Ordnance Survey directly:

What Type of Licence Applies?

There are multiple licensing models depending on usage.

For most professionals purchasing mapping via MapServe®, the licence typically falls under:

  • Commercial end-user licence

  • Project-based usage

  • Defined organisational use

Larger organisations may operate under:

  • Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA)

  • Enterprise agreements

  • Corporate multi-user licences

Always confirm your specific licence terms.

What You Are Allowed To Do

With properly licensed OS mapping, you can:

  • Use the data in CAD or GIS software

  • Incorporate mapping into planning submissions

  • Produce site plans and design drawings

  • Share outputs internally within your organisation

  • Submit mapping to local authorities as part of an application

For example, you may download MasterMap® data from MapServe® and use it as base mapping for architectural drawings.

What You Are NOT Allowed To Do

Common licensing violations include:

  • Removing copyright statements

  • Sharing raw DWG/DXF files with unauthorised third parties

  • Uploading OS data publicly without permission

  • Using mapping outside agreed licence scope

  • Reselling OS data

If you provide mapping to contractors or consultants, ensure they are covered by appropriate licence permissions.

Can You Share OS Maps With Clients?

This depends on the licence structure.

Generally:

  • You can share finished drawings that incorporate OS data.

  • You cannot redistribute raw OS datasets freely.

For example:

  • A PDF site plan submitted with a planning application is acceptable.

  • A raw MasterMap® DWG file emailed without licence coverage may not be.

Clarify licence coverage when collaborating across organisations.

How Licensed Suppliers Like MapServe® Work

MapServe® is a licensed supplier of Ordnance Survey digital mapping.

The process works as follows:

  1. Ordnance Survey maintains the national geospatial database.

  2. Licensed partners access the datasets under commercial agreement.

  3. Site-specific extracts are generated.

  4. The mapping is supplied under compliant licence terms.

When you download OS maps from MapServe®, you receive authorised data suitable for professional use.

Why Licensing Matters for Planning Applications

Local authorities require mapping derived from licensed Ordnance Survey data.

Using:

  • Screenshots from consumer mapping platforms

  • Unlicensed extracts

  • Modified OS data without attribution

may result in rejection of planning submissions.

Professional planning maps should always originate from licensed OS datasets.

Copyright Notices and Attribution

Most OS outputs require inclusion of a copyright statement, typically formatted as:

© Crown copyright and database rights [Year] Ordnance Survey [Licence number]

Check your licence for exact wording requirements.

Removing or altering attribution may breach licence conditions.

Digital Formats and Licensing

Licensing applies regardless of file format.

Whether the mapping is supplied as:

  • DWG

  • DXF

  • PDF

  • GIS formats

The same copyright and licence rules apply.

If you are purchasing mapping for CAD workflows, ensure the output format aligns with your intended use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I own OS mapping after purchase?

No. You receive a licence to use the data. Ownership remains with Ordnance Survey.

Can I reuse OS maps for multiple projects?

Only if your licence allows it. Some licences are project-specific.

Can I send OS mapping to a contractor?

Only if your licence covers third-party sharing or the contractor holds appropriate licence coverage.

Is MasterMap® covered by the same licensing rules?

Yes. MasterMap® is a licensed dataset subject to Crown copyright.

Risk of Non-Compliance

Improper use of OS mapping can lead to:

  • Licence breaches

  • Legal disputes

  • Project delays

  • Planning application rejection

For professional practices, maintaining compliant mapping workflows is essential.

Best Practice for Professionals

To ensure compliance:

  • Purchase mapping from licensed suppliers such as MapServe®

  • Retain licence documentation

  • Maintain copyright notices

  • Clarify sharing permissions before distributing files

  • Avoid using consumer map screenshots for professional submissions

Conclusion

Ordnance Survey mapping is licensed intellectual property.

When professionals use MasterMap®, 1:1250 or 1:2500 mapping, they are working with authoritative national datasets governed by specific licence conditions.

Understanding what you can and cannot do with OS mapping protects your projects, your clients and your practice.

If you require compliant, professional OS mapping, you can download licensed datasets directly from MapServe®.

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