Metadata inheritance between maps and topics

The topicmeta element in maps contains numerous elements for the declaration of metadata. In general, specifying metadata in a topicmeta element is equivalent to specifying it in the topic, while allowing that topic to be reused in other maps where the metadata does not apply. Many items in the metadata also cascade to nested topic references within the map.

For each element in the topicmeta, the following table provides three different behaviors.

How does it apply to the topic? This describes how the metadata in a topicref interacts with the specified topic. In most cases, the properties are additive, within the current context. For example, when an audience is set to "user" within a topicref, this means that the audience for the specified topic is "user" when viewed within this context. This is in addition to any audience values specified within the topic, and does not apply to the topic when it is viewed in other contexts.
Does it cascade to other topics in the map? This indicates whether the specified meta value cascades to nested topicrefs. For example, setting an audience to "user" implicitly means that other topicrefs within that branch of the map also have an audience of "user". Elements like linktext, which can apply only to the specified target, do not cascade.
What is the purpose when specified at the map level? The map element allows for metadata to be specified for the entire map. This column describes what effect, if any, each element has when specified at this level.

Table 1. Topicmeta elements and their properties
Element	How does it apply to the topic (in this context)?	Does it cascade to other topics in the map?	What is the purpose when specified at the map level?
audience	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify an audience for the entire map
author	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify an author for the entire map
category	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify a category for the entire map
copyright	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify a copyright for the entire map
critdates	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify critical dates for the entire map
data	Add to the topic	No, unless specialized for a purpose that inherits	No stated purpose, until the element is specified
data-about	Add the property to the specified target	No, unless specialized for a purpose that inherits	No stated purpose, until the element is specified
foreign	Add to the topic	No, unless specialized for a purpose that inherits	No stated purpose, until the element is specified
keywords	Add to the topic	No	No stated purpose
linktext	Not added to the topic; applies to links created based on this occurrence in the map	No	No stated purpose
othermeta	Add to the topic	No	Define metadata for the entire map
permissions	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify permissions for the entire map
prodinfo	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify product info for the entire map
publisher	Add to the topic	Yes	Specify a publisher for the map
resourceid	Add to the topic	No	Specify a resource ID for the map
searchtitle	Replace the one in the topic. If multiple searchtitles are given for one target, processors may choose to issue a warning.	No	No stated purpose
shortdesc	Not added to the topic; applies to links created based on this occurrence in the map	No	Provide a description of the map
source	Add to the topic	No	Specify a source for the map
unknown	Add to the topic	No, unless specialized for a purpose that cascades	No stated purpose, until the element is specified