Re: Using test images in a scientific publication?

On Monday, February 27, 2012, 3:40:57 PM, Jasper wrote:

JvdG> Hi,

JvdG> I might be interested in using one of the SVG test images (or at least a
JvdG> derivative of it) in a scientific publication, would there be any
JvdG> problems in doing this?

JvdG> The image in question is the test image for morphological filters, as it
JvdG> happens to be a very clean image that makes it easy to demonstrate the
JvdG> differences between (morphological) filters. (None of the images I've
JvdG> seen in the literature are as clear as this one for demonstrating the
JvdG> differences between different approaches to colour morphology.)

JvdG> My understanding so far is that the following would apply:
JvdG> http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2008/04-testsuite-copyright.html
JvdG> But I am not 100% sure of how to interpret that in this particular case.

The SVG 1.1 Test Suie was licensed under the original, W3C Test Suite License. This forbids modification.

This has the advantage that modifying a test (e.g, so you pass it) and then claiming conformance based on the modified test is contrary to the license. It has the disadvantage that modifications for other purposes (such as for use in tutorials, examples, published papers, etc) is also contrary to the license unless you get a "a special license from W3C".

W3C has since made available a second (BSD Test Suite) license which permits modification to form derivative works. Since this still has the benefit that derived works can't be used to make (fraudulent) conformance claims, it seems better than the W3C Test Suite license.

I propose that the SVG2 test suite be licensed under BSD Test Suite license.

That doesn't help you right now though. Assuming you don't plan to make conformance claims based on the modified test, you could take the statement of intent wrt SVG2 test suite licensing to mean that W3C is fine with the use of derived works of the SVG 1.1 test suite, provided the purpose of the derived work is not to claim conformance.

If that is good enough for your publisher, then go ahead. If they need an explicit authorization them please mail team-legal at w3.org with a cc to myself.




-- 
 Chris Lilley   Technical Director, Interaction Domain                 
 W3C Graphics Activity Lead, Fonts Activity Lead
 Co-Chair, W3C Hypertext CG
 Member, CSS, WebFonts, SVG Working Groups

Received on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 14:16:30 UTC