OK, I know the source through Mobac was free and that OS is a business that has costs of it’s own to cover, and I suspect that the developer of Mobac didn’t get any permissions before developing the software.
Likewise though I don’t think the developer did too much wrong in utilising a source such as Multimap OS that was originally available to all FOC and putting a programme over the top of it that creates a map. Isn’t that what Google Earth now does ?
I can’t believe that OS sells many of it’s digital OS maps at the the prices it charges or indeed the custom maps on it’s web site. To put it into perspective you could buy a second GPS device for the price of 3 National Parks ! I also understand that even when you do buy one of their maps then the use of them is very restricted.
Also, how much does it cost for OS to create a digital map ? If it’s down loaded = the cost of their servers, and if it’s a physical send = the cost of a memory card which they undoubtedly buy in bulk.
How often do they up date their OS maps and by how much and how much does that cost with modern technology ? I suspect very little in answer to all those points.
So it comes down to their current business model. Which is to charge too much for a restricted product and have very few sales and hope the costs per unit can be covered with the return.
Surly a better model would be to charge very little for something people are going to want to buy on mass and be unrestricted with it’s use.
Sound familiar. Itunes. A CD was £10 a CD single £5, sell albums for £6 and tracks for 99p instead and you take over the music world.
And there’s your argument to OS. Free up the 1:25k nationwide so that everyone can use them on their smart phones and Garmins unrestricted but charge them small amounts for the privilege. Everyone knows the OS maps are the most accurate and have the most detail and everyone would soon discard alternative sources and maps.
It’s not like that business model is untested and the devices and the ability to use the maps is already out there in everyone’s hands waiting for the maps.