Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?
Maps make even more sense to be free for the public to access, than the summary of human knowledge known as Wikipedia.<p>This is a literal description of the physical space we occupy. The knowledge of "what is there" should not be owned by any entity.<p>Now, I am aware that map data includes more than just "what is there" and one could argue that certain types of metadata can be more appropriately owned than others. But on the whole they should be the minority. In particular, the metadata required to "make sense of it all" should be free: Systems for searching between the wildly different naming conventions and other mapping oddities in various parts of the world.<p>I am also aware that certain parts of map data may be classified to certain governments. Exceptions could be made. I'm not sure what the best solution is but it's not that important as these spots are a minority of the world's mapped area.