Maps or Maps+Data to be generally accessible without charge? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Section 9.1 says: "Your Maps API Implementation must be generally accessible to users without charge". Section 7.1c says "Maps API Implementation" means a software application or website that uses the Maps APIs to obtain and display Content in conjunction with Your Content, according to these Terms. Which, although IANAL, suggests that it's the maps widget that has to be generally accessible, and that the data displayed on those maps can be changed depending on whether someone is logged in or not, perhaps as a member of an organisation or the site admin team. Rights to Data ~~~~~~~~~~~ Section 11.1 is a complete nightmare! 1) It makes it impossible to display a great deal of otherwise useful data. I would like to be able to display other data that is owned by myself and by organisations that most certainly do not wish to donate that data to Google so they can make use of it as they wish. 2) It gives Google rights to everything "that you provide in your Maps API Implementation, including data, images, video, or software". So Google requires rights to the custom javascript code I've written, and perhaps even my custom server-side code, database contents, etc. HELP!!! 3) "Maps API Implementation" means a software application or website that uses the Maps APIs to obtain and display Content in conjunction with Your Content, according to these Terms. So Google is claiming rights to the entire contents, including the software, of any website that uses the Maps API?????? Surely not??? Summary ~~~~~~~ Looks like the end of a useful free mapping API from Google is coming. They obviously want more and more sites to pay $10,000+ per year to avoid these terms of use. Sadly, while trying to grab cash from businesses, with these terms they will prevent many low-budget organisations from using the Maps API. Unless we just ignore them... OpenStreetmap anyone? --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Maps API" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
