Blitzortung.org Forum
Permission request for Blitzortung data in WeatherWatch - Printable Version

+- Blitzortung.org Forum (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb)
+-- Forum: Public Forums (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=29)
+--- Forum: Website, Maps and Applications (https://forum.blitzortung.org/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=24)
+--- Thread: Permission request for Blitzortung data in WeatherWatch (/showthread.php?tid=4262)

Permission request for Blitzortung data in WeatherWatch - Weather Watch - 2026-07-30

Hello,
My name is Eli, and I am developing WeatherWatch, an iPhone and web weather-radar application currently in beta testing.
I am writing to request explicit permission to display recent Blitzortung lightning observations in WeatherWatch.
I understand that Blitzortung is a volunteer, non-commercial project; that its observations are provided for private and entertainment purposes; and that they must not be presented as an official warning or life-safety service. I also understand that commercial use normally is not permitted, which is why I will not proceed without your written approval.
WeatherWatch includes official weather warnings from government sources and may eventually offer an optional paid “Max” subscription. The proposed Blitzortung lightning layer would:
  • Remain available to all users without requiring a Max subscription.
  • Be clearly labeled as unofficial community lightning observations.
  • Never create, modify, verify, rank, or trigger weather warnings or push notifications.
  • Never be used to tell users that an area is safe or unsafe.
  • Include a visible disclaimer directing users to official weather warnings.
  • Clearly credit and link to Blitzortung.org and its contributors.
  • Be retrieved through one WeatherWatch intermediary server so requests would not increase with the number of app users.
  • Use conservative polling and caching limits set by Blitzortung.
  • Display only recent observations on the map without offering raw-data downloads.
  • Not permanently archive or sell the raw lightning data.
WeatherWatch currently experiments with a Saratoga Weather placefile that contains Blitzortung observations. We understand that obtaining the feed from a third party does not remove Blitzortung’s underlying restrictions, so it will not be included in the public release without permission from both Blitzortung and Saratoga Weather.
Could you please confirm:
  1. Whether this use can be approved despite WeatherWatch being an application that may contain optional paid features.
  2. Whether keeping the lightning layer completely free would make the use acceptable.
  3. Whether the data may be processed and cached on our server solely for displaying the map layer.
  4. Whether using the Saratoga-generated placefile is acceptable if Saratoga separately approves it.
  5. What polling interval, cache duration, attribution, disclaimer, and CC BY-SA requirements must be followed.
  6. Whether WeatherWatch would need to operate a Blitzortung detector or receive separate data credentials.
  7. Whether there are any other technical or licensing conditions we must meet.
We would be happy to provide screenshots, technical information, estimated tester counts, or a beta build for review. We are also open to supporting the Blitzortung project through an appropriate contribution if that is helpful, although we understand that a contribution would not automatically grant permission.
Thank you for considering the request and for the work your contributors do.
Best regards,
Eli
WeatherWatch

RE: Permission request for Blitzortung data in WeatherWatch - cutty - 2026-09-30

Blitzortung is not a general-purpose public lightning-data service or API provider.

The network exists primarily for participating station operators and the cooperative lightning-location project itself. Its data is not offered as a general source for private applications, websites, hobby projects, research tools, AI-assisted projects, or other third-party services.

Publicly available Blitzortung maps and related services may be used where appropriate. Direct access to the underlying lightning data is not provided for general third-party use.

If your project requires a general source of lightning data for use in your own application or service, you should look to a provider whose purpose is to supply that type of data.