While postal code data has been free to use in the majority countries worlwide, and has spurred the growth of many location-based or location aware applications in those countries, we in the UK are forced into costly licensing agreements with the Royal Mail if we wish to utilise postal code data.
So, finally the first service to allow the free use of postal codes has been set up (with an API for website developers to use), and will hopefully force the issue of our antiquated system into the spotlight and encourage the Government and Royal Mail to allow free use of postal code data which is stifling development.
The guys that set this service up are presumably violating some rules somewhere in the process, so are to be applauded for their efforts.
Their website is available at http://ernestmarples.com/
Postal codes were introduced by Ernest Marples, a government minister who did a lot for the UK telephone and transport industries. He was also an alleged slum landlord and tax dodger, fleeing to Monaco in 1975.
