Ordnance Survey denies unfair use of tax payers' money

NEWS Government map-making division Ordnance Survey has denied spending tax payers' money on funding an anti-competitive venture following a court filing by rival firm, Getmapping. Getmapping alleges that the Ordnance Survey (OS) is using government funds to set up a commercial project called MasterMap. The dot-com said the venture will damage its business as OS uses a technological platform that is better - and therefore more expensive - than Getmapping's, but will sell the product at a subsidised price. Getmapping also said the OS venture contravenes a reseller agreement set up between the parties. However, the OS has hit back. A spokesman said: "Getmapping's allegation that half the cost of the OS MasterMap infrastructure has been paid for from public funds is simply incorrect. It will be a commercial project which will have to cover all its costs and make a profit." He added: "We are disappointed that Getmapping has decided to start legal proceedings against us, which are both legally and factually misconceived and which we will be vigorously defending." The OS said Getmapping had been given reasonable warning about the project, and that it has not set prices to rival Getmapping's products. Furthermore, the OS claims that it has not yet decided which technology to use following a tendering process whch began last May, and so does not yet know how much its offering will eventually cost.