| # Imagery Source Licenses and Attribution |
|
|
| This file documents the aerial/satellite imagery sources used or configured by |
| this project. It is intended for a NeurIPS 2026 Evaluations & Datasets data |
| release package. |
|
|
| NeurIPS 2026 E&D requires hosted datasets to be accessible to reviewers and to |
| include Croissant metadata with core and Responsible AI fields. For this dataset, |
| the Croissant metadata should reference this file from `prov:wasDerivedFrom`, |
| `rai:dataCollection`, and the dataset/license documentation fields. |
|
|
| This is an engineering license inventory, not legal advice. Before public |
| release, re-check the official terms on the access date used in the paper and |
| keep a frozen copy of the source URLs/capabilities metadata. |
|
|
| ## Release Rule |
|
|
| The imagery in this dataset is multi-source. Do not publish the whole image |
| collection under a single permissive license such as CC BY 4.0 unless every |
| included image source is compatible with that license. |
|
|
| Recommended release policy: |
|
|
| - Release only sources marked `OK` or `OK-CONDITIONAL` after the listed |
| conditions are satisfied. |
| - Exclude or regenerate sources marked `EXCLUDE` before the public NeurIPS |
| dataset release. |
| - Keep each city/source subset separable in the hosted dataset and in Croissant |
| `FileSet` metadata. |
| - Include all attribution strings in the dataset README, paper appendix, and |
| Croissant provenance fields. |
|
|
| ## Current Processed Data Source Map |
|
|
| The following mapping is inferred from `src/sources/*.py` and the current |
| `data/processed/images/*` directories. |
|
|
| | Processed directories | Source key | Imagery provider / service | Release status | |
| |---|---:|---|---| |
| | `America_NewYork_Filtered`, `Chicago_buildings_full`, `LosAngeles_Downtown_buildings_full`, `NewYork_Manhattan_buildings_full`, `SanFrancisco_FiDi_buildings_full`, `Seattle_Downtown_buildings_full` | `usa` | Esri ArcGIS Online World Imagery | `EXCLUDE` | |
| | `France_Lyon_buildings_full`, `France_Marseille_buildings_full`, `France_Strasbourg_buildings_full`, `France_Toulouse_buildings_full`, `paris_buildings_with_height_Filtered` | `fra` | IGN / Geoportail orthophotos | `OK` | |
| | `Japan_Osaka_buildings_full`, `Japan_Osaka_buildings_Filtered` | `jpn` | GSI seamless aerial photo tiles | `OK-CONDITIONAL` | |
| | `Amsterdam_buildings_Filtered` | `nld` | PDOK `luchtfotorgb` / `Actueel_orthoHR` | `OK` | |
| | `HKG_Core` | `hkg` | Hong Kong LandsD Imagery Map API | `OK-CONDITIONAL` | |
| | `TWN_Buildings_ready`, `TWN_Buildings_ready_Filtered` | `twn` | Taiwan NLSC PHOTO2 WMTS | `EXCLUDE` unless permission is confirmed | |
| | `berlin_all_buildings_height_Filtered` | `deu` | Brandenburg/Berlin DOP20c WMS | `OK` | |
| | `Germany_Frankfurt_buildings_full` | `deu` | Hessen DOP20 WMS | `OK` | |
| | `Germany_Munich_buildings_full` | `deu` | Bavaria DOP20 WMS | `OK` | |
| | `Oceania_Sydney_buildings_full` | `syd` | NSW Imagery MapServer | `OK-CONDITIONAL` | |
| | `Oceania_Melbourne_buildings_full` | `mel` | City of Melbourne 2020 true ortho imagery | `OK-CONDITIONAL` | |
| | `Africa_CapeTown_buildings_Filtered` | `afr` | City of Cape Town Aerial Imagery 2024 MapServer | `EXCLUDE` from unrestricted public release | |
| | `sao_paulo_exact_Filtered` | `bax` | GeoSampa Ortofotos 2020 RGB WMS | `OK-CONDITIONAL` | |
| | `Canada_Vancouver_buildings_Filtered` | `van` | City of Vancouver Orthophotos 2022 | `OK` | |
| | `Canada_Toronto_Filtered` | `tor` | City of Toronto 2023 orthophoto MapServer | `OK` | |
| | `Denmark_Aarhus_Filtered`, `Denmark_Copenhagen_Filtered`, `Denmark_Odense_Filtered` | `dam` | GeoDanmark Ortofoto / Datafordeler WMTS | `OK` | |
|
|
| Implemented but not present in the current processed data: |
|
|
| | Source key | Imagery provider / service | Release status | |
| |---:|---|---| |
| | `nzl` | LINZ Basemaps aerial imagery | `OK` | |
| | `chn` | Tianditu imagery tiles | `EXCLUDE` unless separately licensed | |
|
|
| ## Source License Details |
|
|
| ### Esri World Imagery (`usa`) - EXCLUDE |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_usa.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer` |
| - Official terms found: Esri World Imagery is licensed under the Esri Master |
| License Agreement. Esri states the ordinary World Imagery layer is not |
| intended for exporting tiles for offline use; the export layer is for small |
| offline use in ArcGIS contexts. |
| - Dataset release decision: Do not redistribute image chips generated from this |
| source in a public NeurIPS dataset. |
| - Required action: Regenerate all USA image subsets from a redistributable |
| source such as USDA NAIP/USGS public imagery, or exclude the USA directories |
| from the public release. |
|
|
| Affected current directories: |
|
|
| - `America_NewYork_Filtered` |
| - `Chicago_buildings_full` |
| - `LosAngeles_Downtown_buildings_full` |
| - `NewYork_Manhattan_buildings_full` |
| - `SanFrancisco_FiDi_buildings_full` |
| - `Seattle_Downtown_buildings_full` |
|
|
| ### IGN / Geoportail Orthophotos (`fra`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_fra.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://data.geopf.fr/wmts` |
| - Layer: `ORTHOIMAGERY.ORTHOPHOTOS` |
| - License: Licence Ouverte / Open Licence version 2.0 (Etalab 2.0), for public |
| IGN open data including BD ORTHO / ortho-imagery. |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution. |
| - Attribution: `Contains orthophotography from IGN / Geoportail, Licence Ouverte / Etalab 2.0.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://data.geopf.fr/wmts` |
|
|
| ### GSI Seamless Photo (`jpn`) - OK-CONDITIONAL |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_jpn.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://cyberjapandata.gsi.go.jp/xyz/seamlessphoto/{z}/{x}/{y}.jpg` |
| - Dataset: GSI Tiles, latest seamless aerial photo (`全国最新写真（シームレス）`). |
| - License / terms: Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0 / GSI content |
| terms, with source citation. GSI notes that GSI tiles can include tiles from |
| third-party organizations or legally restricted survey products. |
| - Redistribution: acceptable only after checking that the specific seamless |
| photo tiles used for Osaka do not require an additional permission beyond |
| source citation. |
| - Attribution: `Source: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) / GSI Tiles. Modified for dataset generation.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://maps.gsi.go.jp/development/` |
|
|
| ### PDOK Netherlands Orthophotos (`nld`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_nld.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://service.pdok.nl/hwh/luchtfotorgb/wmts/v1_0/Actueel_orthoHR/` |
| - Dataset/layer: `Actueel_orthoHR` |
| - License: use the dataset-specific Nationaal Georegister/PDOK metadata; PDOK |
| commonly uses CC BY 4.0 for geographic works and instructs users to follow the |
| NGR metadata for the specific dataset. |
| - Redistribution: allowed if the dataset metadata license is CC BY 4.0. |
| - Attribution: `Contains PDOK / Dutch aerial imagery data, CC BY 4.0; see PDOK/NGR metadata.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://service.pdok.nl/hwh/luchtfotorgb/wmts/v1_0/` |
|
|
| ### Hong Kong LandsD Imagery Map API (`hkg`) - OK-CONDITIONAL |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_hkg.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://mapapi.geodata.gov.hk/gs/api/v1.0.0/xyz/imagery/WGS84/` |
| - Provider: Lands Department, Government of the Hong Kong SAR. |
| - Official terms found: CSDI/LandsD Map API terms allow use of data through the |
| API subject to terms, rate limits, IP rights notice, and attribution. The API |
| documentation requires Lands Department attribution and copyright notice. |
| - Risk: LandsD has separate notices for downloadable aerial photographs that |
| restrict third-party dissemination. Because this project stores and republishes |
| image chips rather than only displaying live map tiles, confirm that the Map |
| API / CSDI terms cover stored derivative image redistribution. |
| - Attribution: `Aerial Photograph from Lands Department, Government of the Hong Kong SAR.` |
| - Release condition: Include the attribution and, if required by LandsD, the |
| Lands Department logo/copyright notice. Obtain written confirmation if possible. |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://tools.csdi.gov.hk/csdi-webpage/apidoc/ImageryMapAPI` |
|
|
| ### Taiwan NLSC PHOTO2 (`twn`) - EXCLUDE unless permission is confirmed |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_twn.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://wmts.nlsc.gov.tw/wmts/PHOTO2/default/GoogleMapsCompatible/` |
| - Provider: National Land Surveying and Mapping Center (NLSC), Taiwan. |
| - Official terms found: NLSC terms allow showing captured/extracted service |
| contents on the Internet, videos, print advertisements, and theses for legal |
| purposes, but state that bulk download is forbidden. |
| - Risk: this dataset generation is a bulk tile extraction and public |
| redistribution workflow. |
| - Dataset release decision: Exclude Taiwan imagery from the public release |
| unless NLSC confirms redistribution is permitted for this derived dataset. |
| - Attribution if permission is obtained: `Source: National Land Surveying and Mapping Center (NLSC), Taiwan.` |
|
|
| ### Germany Berlin / Brandenburg DOP20c (`deu`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_deu.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://isk.geobasis-bb.de/mapproxy/dop20c/service/wms` |
| - Provider: Landesvermessung und Geobasisinformation Brandenburg, with Berlin |
| data attribution where applicable. |
| - License: Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0 |
| (`dl-de/by-2-0`). |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution. |
| - Attribution: `© GeoBasis-DE/LGB, dl-de/by-2-0; © Geoportal Berlin, dl-de/by-2-0 (Daten geändert)` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://isk.geobasis-bb.de/mapproxy/dop20c/service/wms` |
|
|
| ### Germany Hessen DOP20 (`deu`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_deu.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://www.gds-srv.hessen.de/cgi-bin/lika-services/ogc-free-images.ows` |
| - Layer: `he_dop20_rgb` |
| - Provider: Hessische Verwaltung fuer Bodenmanagement und Geoinformation (HVBG). |
| - License: Datenlizenz Deutschland - Zero - Version 2.0 (`dl-zero-de/2.0`). |
| - Redistribution: allowed without attribution requirement under dl-zero, but |
| citation is recommended for provenance. |
| - Attribution / citation: `Source: Geoportal Hessen / HVBG, dl-zero-de/2.0.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://www.gds-srv.hessen.de/cgi-bin/lika-services/ogc-free-images.ows` |
|
|
| ### Germany Bavaria DOP20 (`deu`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_deu.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://geoservices.bayern.de/od/wms/dop/v1/dop20` |
| - Layer: `by_dop20c` |
| - Provider: Bayerische Vermessungsverwaltung. |
| - License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). |
| - Attribution required by provider: `Bayerische Vermessungsverwaltung - www.geodaten.bayern.de` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://geoservices.bayern.de/od/wms/dop/v1/dop20` |
|
|
| ### NSW Imagery (`syd`) - OK-CONDITIONAL |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_syd.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/public/NSW_Imagery/MapServer` |
| - Provider/copyright in service metadata: Department of Customer Service, NSW. |
| - License status: the MapServer metadata gives copyright but not a clear open |
| redistribution license in the codebase. |
| - Release condition: confirm the applicable NSW open data license or obtain a |
| redistribution statement before including Sydney image chips in the public |
| release. |
| - Attribution: `© Department of Customer Service, NSW; contains external imagery sources as listed in NSW_Imagery service metadata.` |
|
|
| ### City of Melbourne 2020 Aerial Imagery (`mel`) - OK-CONDITIONAL |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_mel.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://gisags.melbourne.vic.gov.au/server_wa/rest/services/AerialImageryWGS84/AerialImage2020_WGS84/MapServer` |
| - Dataset: City of Melbourne 2020 Aerial Imagery true ortho. |
| - License: source portal metadata lists CC BY / CC BY-compatible terms. Confirm |
| the exact version (`CC BY 4.0` versus another CC BY variant) before final |
| Croissant publication. |
| - Redistribution: allowed if released under the source CC BY terms. |
| - Attribution: `Contains City of Melbourne 2020 Aerial Imagery, CC BY.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://data.melbourne.vic.gov.au/explore/dataset/2020-aerial-imagery-true-ortho/` |
|
|
| ### City of Cape Town Aerial Imagery 2024 (`afr`) - EXCLUDE from unrestricted public release |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_afr.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://cityimg.capetown.gov.za/erdas-iws/esri/GeoSpatial%20Datasets/rest/services/Aerial%20Imagery_Aerial%20Imagery%202024/MapServer` |
| - Provider/service text: City of Cape Town aerial imagery 2024. The service |
| states that the original imagery is property of CCT and that there are no |
| restrictions on the digital file for non-commercial purposes. |
| - Risk: non-commercial-only permissions are not compatible with an unrestricted |
| public ML dataset license. |
| - Dataset release decision: either exclude this subset from the unrestricted |
| public release, release it as a clearly separate non-commercial subset, or |
| obtain written permission for dataset redistribution. |
| - Attribution: `Aerial imagery property of City of Cape Town (CCT), 2024.` |
|
|
| ### GeoSampa Sao Paulo Ortofotos 2020 (`bax`) - OK-CONDITIONAL |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_bax.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://raster.geosampa.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/geoserver/geoportal/wms` |
| - Layer: `ORTO_RGB_2020` |
| - Provider: Prefeitura Municipal de Sao Paulo / GeoSampa. |
| - License: Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0), per |
| GeoSampa license notice. |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution and share-alike terms. |
| - Release condition: keep the Sao Paulo imagery subset under CC BY-SA 4.0 and |
| do not label it as merely CC BY. |
| - Attribution: `Source: GeoSampa / Prefeitura Municipal de Sao Paulo, CC BY-SA 4.0.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://geosampa.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/` |
|
|
| ### City of Vancouver Orthophotos 2022 (`van`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_can.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://tiles.arcgis.com/tiles/qrcTTRTwUoS8N47o/arcgis/rest/services/Orthophotos_2022/MapServer` |
| - Dataset: City of Vancouver Orthophoto imagery 2022. |
| - License: Open Government Licence - Vancouver. |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution under the open data terms. |
| - Attribution: `Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Vancouver; source: City of Vancouver Orthophotos 2022.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://opendata.vancouver.ca/explore/dataset/orthophoto-imagery-2022/` |
|
|
| ### City of Toronto Orthophotos 2023 (`tor`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_can.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://gis.toronto.ca/arcgis/rest/services/basemap/cot_ortho_2023_color_10cm/MapServer` |
| - Dataset: City of Toronto 2023 colour orthophoto, 10 cm. |
| - License: Open Government Licence - Toronto. |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution. |
| - Attribution: `Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence - Toronto; source: City of Toronto orthophoto imagery.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://gis.toronto.ca/arcgis/rest/services/basemap/cot_ortho_2023_color_10cm/MapServer` |
|
|
| ### GeoDanmark Ortofoto / Datafordeler (`dam`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_dam.py` |
| - Service URL: `https://wmts.datafordeler.dk/GeoDanmarkOrto/orto_foraar_webm/1.0.0/WMTS` |
| - Dataset: GeoDanmark Ortofoto foraar Web Mercator WMTS. |
| - License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). |
| - Redistribution: allowed with attribution. |
| - Attribution required by GeoDanmark: `@geodanmark` with a link to the GeoDanmark data terms. |
| - Operational note: the WMTS requires API-key/OAuth access. Do not publish the |
| `SDFI_API_KEY`; publish only the derived data and source metadata. |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://datafordeler.dk/dataoversigt/geodanmark-ortofoto/ortofoto-foraar-web-mercator-wmts/` |
|
|
| ### LINZ Basemaps Aerial (`nzl`) - OK |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_nzl.py` |
| - Current data: no processed directory in this release. |
| - Service URL: `https://basemaps.linz.govt.nz/v1/tiles/aerial/WebMercatorQuad/` |
| - License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), with |
| LINZ Basemaps attribution requirements and contributor attribution. |
| - Attribution: `Sourced from LINZ. CC BY 4.0. Contains LINZ Basemaps aerial imagery and contributors.` |
| - Croissant `prov:wasDerivedFrom`: `https://www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/data/licensing-and-using-data/attributing-linz-basemaps-data` |
|
|
| ### Tianditu (`chn`) - EXCLUDE unless separately licensed |
|
|
| - Code: `src/sources/xyz_chn.py` |
| - Current data: no processed directory in this release. |
| - Service URL: `https://t0.tianditu.gov.cn/DataServer?T=img_w...` |
| - License status: not audited in this project. |
| - Dataset release decision: do not include Tianditu-derived imagery in the |
| public release without a separate redistribution license. |
|
|
| ## Recommended Public Release Subsets |
|
|
| If publishing now, the lowest-risk public release should include only: |
|
|
| - France: `fra` |
| - Netherlands: `nld` |
| - Germany: `deu` for Berlin/Brandenburg, Hessen, Bavaria |
| - Vancouver: `van` |
| - Toronto: `tor` |
| - Denmark: `dam` |
| - Sao Paulo: `bax`, but keep CC BY-SA 4.0 terms separate |
| - Japan: `jpn`, after tile-specific source citation checks |
| - Hong Kong: `hkg`, after Map API stored-derivative redistribution check |
| - Melbourne: `mel`, after exact CC BY version check |
|
|
| Exclude or regenerate before unrestricted public release: |
|
|
| - USA / Esri World Imagery (`usa`) |
| - Taiwan NLSC PHOTO2 (`twn`) unless permission is confirmed |
| - Cape Town 2024 (`afr`) unless released as non-commercial-only or permission is obtained |
| - Sydney NSW imagery (`syd`) until an explicit redistributable license is confirmed |
| - Tianditu (`chn`) if ever used |
|
|
| ## Suggested Dataset-Level License Text |
|
|
| Use this text in the dataset README and hosting page instead of assigning a |
| single false license: |
|
|
| > This dataset is a multi-source derived dataset. Image chips are licensed under |
| > the terms of their respective upstream imagery providers, as documented in |
| > `data/IMAGERY_LICENSES.md`. Building geometry, height labels, masks, and |
| > metadata have separate source provenance documented in the dataset card and |
| > Croissant metadata. Users must comply with the license and attribution |
| > requirements for each source subset. |
| |
| For a NeurIPS-hosted package, prefer splitting files by source, for example: |
| |
| - `images/fra/...` |
| - `images/deu_berlin_brandenburg/...` |
| - `images/deu_hessen/...` |
| - `images/deu_bavaria/...` |
| - `images/nld/...` |
| - `images/can_vancouver/...` |
| - `images/can_toronto/...` |
| - `images/dam/...` |
| - `images/bax/...` |
|
|
| Then assign per-subset license/provenance in Croissant `FileSet` entries. |
|
|
| ## Sources Consulted |
|
|
| - NeurIPS 2026 E&D Call: `https://neurips.cc/Conferences/2026/CallForEvaluationsDatasets` |
| - NeurIPS 2026 E&D Hosting Guidelines: `https://neurips.cc/Conferences/2026/EvaluationsDatasetsHosting` |
| - Esri World Imagery item / terms notice: `https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=10df2279f9684e4a9f6a7f08febac2a9` |
| - IGN / Geoportail orthophoto open data notices: `https://data.geopf.fr/wmts`, `https://www.data.gouv.fr/` |
| - GSI tiles and terms: `https://maps.gsi.go.jp/development/`, `https://www.gsi.go.jp/ENGLISH/page_e30286.html` |
| - PDOK copyright and NGR metadata guidance: `https://www.pdok.nl/copyright` |
| - Hong Kong CSDI / LandsD Map API docs and terms: `https://tools.csdi.gov.hk/csdi-webpage/apidoc/ImageryMapAPI` |
| - Taiwan NLSC terms: `https://maps.nlsc.gov.tw/pro/use_clause_en.jsp` |
| - Brandenburg/Berlin DOP20c metadata: `https://geobroker.geobasis-bb.de/` |
| - Hessen DOP20 metadata: `https://www.geoportal.hessen.de/` |
| - Bavaria DOP20 metadata: `https://geodatenonline.bayern.de/geodatenonline/seiten/wms_dop20cm` |
| - NSW Imagery MapServer: `https://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/arcgis/rest/services/public/NSW_Imagery/MapServer` |
| - City of Melbourne 2020 Aerial Imagery: `https://data.melbourne.vic.gov.au/explore/dataset/2020-aerial-imagery-true-ortho/` |
| - City of Cape Town Aerial Imagery 2024 MapServer: `https://cityimg.capetown.gov.za/erdas-iws/esri/GeoSpatial%20Datasets/rest/services/Aerial%20Imagery_Aerial%20Imagery%202024/MapServer` |
| - GeoSampa license notice: `https://prefeitura.sp.gov.br/web/licenciamento/w/licen%C3%A7a-para-uso-de-dados-do-geosampa` |
| - City of Vancouver Orthophoto imagery 2022 and terms: `https://opendata.vancouver.ca/explore/dataset/orthophoto-imagery-2022/` |
| - City of Toronto Open Government Licence: `https://open.toronto.ca/open-data-licence/` |
| - GeoDanmark / Datafordeler Ortofoto terms: `https://www.geodanmark.dk/home/vejledninger/vilkaar-for-data-anvendelse/` |
| - LINZ Basemaps attribution: `https://www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/data/licensing-and-using-data/attributing-linz-basemaps-data` |
|
|
