California First Amendment Coalition sues County over access to digital mapping data

This interesting tidbit from the Mercury News... a group is seeking to break up what it called a "government monopoly" on the county's digital mapping data. At the heart of the matter is the fact that the County is charging hefty fees to access the so-called "base map" of the county's geographic information system, or GIS. Santa Clara claims the data is copyrighted and proprietary - Gee.. when have we heard this before! It amazes me to no lengths how many government agencies are locking up "THEIR" data and stating that base maps are copyright and proprietary. See details at http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/15737626.htm