The process of legally downloading maps has been ambiguous for years, and many print and design companies have fallen into the trap of illegally copying existing maps, often unintentionally, and risking heavy fines for breach of copyright from Ordnance Survey.

After a year of negotiations between the BAPC, map experts Location Maps and Ordnance Survey, online maps with automatic licensing agreements are now available and open to non-members on the BAPC website.

"We're giving printers the opportunity to do things right but not only that, they're doing it a lot faster," said the BAPC's Tony Kenton.

"What's more, our members have tested this system and they tell us that the cost of downloading a legal, editable map is a fraction of the cost of creating one from scratch," said BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb.

The maps are available for online use from 50 (non-modifiable), digital print from 75 (600dpi and EPS, up to 1,000 copies) and litho print from 125 (1,200dpi and EPS, up to 2,500 copies).

Users can enter a postcode, choose a scale and centre point, confirm the resolution and the map will be sent as an email within seconds, complete with an invoiced licence and guarantee.

For more information, visit www.bapc.co.uk.