I thought that collections of facts are still under copyright so things like Google Maps data is copyrighted even if the things in it are facts. You can create an identical copy as long as you verify and collect the facts yourself and if a mistake on google maps is found on another map then its obvious it was copied.

An arrangement of facts can be copyrighted, but the facts themselves cannot. Collecting together facts and bundling them does not make a copyrighted work, but organizing facts can create a copyrighted work.

The litmus test for this in the US literally the phone book, based on Supreme Court rulings about copyright on phone books. The white pages is an exhaustive list of phone numbers sorted alphabetically by last name, and is not copyrightable because that's considered obvious. The yellow pages sort businesses based on category according to someone's judgement, and emphasizes certain ones, which is considered just barely 'original' enough that it can be copyrighted. The same phone numbers in the same categories would violate copyright of the yellow pages; the same phone numbers with a different organizing principle would not violate copyright.

Not in the US. Google's choice of colors and widths of lines and other layout might be. Not the map data. Possibly in Europe and other countries that aren't the US

Nope. Facts are not copyrightable. You cns copy all of Google's factual map data, but you can't copy their artsy rendering of it in a picture.

Then why is copying data from google maps absolutely banned for open street map editors? Also if google includes some fake data than thats not a fact and possibly a creative work.

OSM editors are prevented from using Google Maps because OSM prefers that we have explicit permission to use data sources. Since we don't have explicit permission to use Google Maps, we can't use it.

Separately, Google Maps has a terms of use that prevent reuse of Google Maps data. You agree to those terms when visiting Google Maps or using Google Maps API.

You wouldn't be breaking copyright law when copying from Google Maps to OSM, you'd be breaking the terms of use contract with Google and community Norma expectations in OSM.

> You agree to those terms when visiting Google Maps or using Google Maps API.

Those terms are not even presented on the screen when visiting Google Maps. And even if they were, I didn't sign anything or agree to anything. It is ridiculous if those terms are legally binding. Because then I will make a site and make you pay $1 for every page viewed.

> And even if they were, I didn't sign anything or agree to anything. It is ridiculous if those terms are legally binding.

Contracts don't need to be signed to be valid (when was the last time you signed a contract with an online shop). And if you don't agree to the terms, then you're using the site without permission and can be sued for damages. But the exact amount to pay can't just be any made-up number.

Similarly, if you walk into a shop, take an apple and eat it; then when the shopkeeper demands a million dollars, you can refuse to agree. Then the shopkeeper is free to sue you for destroying his property and you will be ordered to compensate him, although probably not for the full amount.

Except that Google has a credible threat: they can delete your account, including your email, your Android applications, your Youtube videos, etc.

That's only a threat if you use Google for those things.

Fair enough. But the OSM project would rather not try to find the legal limits of this idea, and would rather play it safe.