The fact that you plan to charge for your service in the future is not a problem for now, because at the moment it is open to anyone for free. The TOS is only concerned with what you *actually do* with the API, not what you *may do* in the future.
However, your PDF maps are "derivative works" that almost certainly violate this section of the TOS: 10.1.3 Restrictions against Data Export or Copying. (a) No Unauthorized Copying, Modification, Creation of Derivative Works, or Display of the Content. You must not copy, translate, modify, or create a derivative work (including creating or contributing to a database) of, or publicly display any Content or any part thereof except as explicitly permitted under these Terms. For example, the following are prohibited: (i) creating server-side modification of map tiles; (ii) stitching multiple static map images together to display a map that is larger than permitted in the Maps APIs Documentation; (iii) creating mailing lists or telemarketing lists based on the Content; or (iv) exporting, writing, or saving the Content to a third party’s location-based platform or service. Sorry! -Mike On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 1:50 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 service 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 TOS 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 JavaScript API v3" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/google-maps-js-api-v3/-/5BA4VB3r_VgJ. > 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-js-api-v3?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Maps JavaScript API v3" 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-js-api-v3?hl=en.
