I think 10.1.2 and 10.1.3 pretty much rule you out from using the free API. http://code.google.com/apis/maps/terms.html
Google Employees are understandably reticent about commenting on the terms, less they be considered definitive answers. Say you explain to someone what you doing, they say "looks ok as far as I can see", and then it turns out you not abiding by the terms. Some might try to use the defence "but Google told me it was ok". In the same way I will say http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IANAL Anyway, think you may need to persue the Premier licence, or even use a different mapping provider. OpenStreetMap are pretty good :) On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 8:34 PM, Drew Johnston <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi! I have a question regarding Google Maps API and mapping services > in general that has been KILLING me for the past year and I would > truly appreciate if someone can put this to rest for me. It’s in > regard to Google’s Terms of Service and what exactly they allow and > don’t allow with their free API. > > I have a project I’m trying to get off the ground, you can see it > here: http://bit.ly/lJfupZ > > Quick explanation of what the site does: You can create Location Maps, > which are commonly used maps on Film and Television Production Shoots > (but also good for planning any kind of event). A picture is worth a > thousand words: http://bit.ly/s6k7xi > > The user is given the ability to map a location. Once they’ve chosen > the location they can add text boxes, pins, driving directions, upload > images and edit colors all to create a nice Location Map like the one > in link above. When user is finished, they are given the ability to > download and/or email their map as a PDF (as shown in link). > > It is important to note that our website currently has a pricing page > and we may want to charge for our service in the future BUT … NOT > RIGHT NOW… We are using the free API so we are offering the free. > When we want to charge we will buy the Premium API and that is a > separate discussion. > > So to the problem: First, GoogleMap’s API was not written for the > average person. I’ve read it inside and our and while some points are > clear I can’t come to a definite conclusion as to whether or not my > site abides by their API. Second, getting a straight answer from a > real life person at Google is damn near impossible. > > I’m looking for two things: > > 1) Opinions (Or definite answers) as to whether or not I am safe under > Google’s free API TOS > > 2) Help on getting in touch with a real life Google Maps PERSON who > can give me a real answer. > > Any help anyone can give me would be REALLY appreciated. This has > been driving me crazy and my project has been stuck for the longest > time because of it. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Google Maps API V2" 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. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Maps API V2" 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.
