Editing Openai/680a3d65-3c44-8006-b05b-2091aa82eb32 (section)

=== Assistant: Open Location Code OLC, commonly known as Plus Codes, is an open-source geocoding system developed by Google. ===
Open Location Code (OLC), commonly known as Plus Codes, is an open-source geocoding system developed by Google. It encodes geographic coordinates into a short alphanumeric code, providing a digital address system particularly useful in areas lacking formal street addresses.geoapify.com<ref>{{cite web|title=geoapify.com|url=https://www.geoapify.com/google-plus-code-as-a-location-code/|publisher=geoapify.com|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>

===== Open Source and Open Standard =====

Yes, Plus Codes are both open-source and based on an open standard. The implementation is available on GitHub under the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source license that allows for free use, modification, and distribution, including commercial applications .

===== Independence from Google Maps =====

Plus Codes are not dependent on Google Maps. They can be generated and decoded offline without the need for any online services or proprietary data. This independence means they can be integrated into various mapping platforms, including self-hosted OpenStreetMap (OSM) instances. For example, developers have discussed integrating OLC into OSM websites, and setting up a system to display OLC on OSM maps can be accomplished with minimal coding effort .Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikipedia|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Location_Code|publisher=en.wikipedia.org|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>GitHub<ref>{{cite web|title=GitHub|url=https://www.geoapify.com/google-plus-code-as-a-location-code/|publisher=geoapify.com|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>GitHub<ref>{{cite web|title=GitHub|url=https://github.com/openstreetmap/openstreetmap-website/issues/1807|publisher=github.com|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>

===== Licensing and Commercial Use =====

The Apache License 2.0 under which OLC is released permits commercial use without requiring a separate license from Google. This means that businesses, including government entities, can freely implement and use Plus Codes in their applications and services .geoapify.com<ref>{{cite web|title=geoapify.com|url=https://www.geoapify.com/google-plus-code-as-a-location-code/|publisher=geoapify.com|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>

===== Summary =====
* Open Source: Yes, under Apache License 2.0.
* Open Standard: Yes, with publicly available specifications.
* Google Maps Dependency: No, can operate independently and integrate with platforms like OpenStreetMap.
* Commercial Use: Permitted without additional licensing.Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikipedia|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapcode|publisher=en.wikipedia.org|access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>

In summary, Plus Codes offer a flexible and open solution for geocoding needs, suitable for integration into various mapping systems, including self-hosted OpenStreetMap instances, without licensing constraints.