I would like to visualize some data on a map to use the results solely for my thesis, but I am not sure if the (free) Google Maps (Javascript) API license allows this usage. I'm hoping for some insight if the use of Google Maps API is possible for the use case described below, as many people seem to use Google Maps based images in their theses. (I had first posted this question on StackOverflow <http://stackoverflow.com/questions/33425572/use-of-google-maps-api-solely-for-creating-pictures-for-thesis-allowed-by-licens>, however it was suggested to me that it does not belong here as it deals with legal/licensing issues.)
**Intended Usage:** I am currently working on my master thesis (in Germany, if this is relevant), and I would like to plot some of the data I am using on a map. My main goal is to get a better understanding of my data (mainly gps tracks with additional information about the waypoints). Obviously, I would then want to include the resulting map images in my thesis (with the appropriate attribution) if they are useful to illustrate something. **Google Maps API License:** So I took a look at the [Google Maps API license][1], and now I'm quite unsure if the usage I described above is actually allowed by the terms: In part 9.1.1 of the terms, it is specified that the Google Maps implementation must be accessible for the general public. However, as I only need the map with my data for and during the thesis, I would like to develop the map implementation locally, using it only on my own computer and never publishing it on the web or elsewhere - only the resulting images would be used in the thesis. There would be no users except for me, and even I would only use it for a limited time. Concerning the use of images in a printed publication, the Google Maps FAQ links to the [Permission Guidelines][2], where it is stated that it is allowed with the appropriate attribution. So in principle the usage of images in a thesis appears to be allowed, but in order to create those images I would have to create my own Maps implementation to display my data, running into the "public access" problem described above. **Main arising Questions:** I've seen Google Maps based images (with additional data) in many theses, so I used to think that that use would be allowed, but now I am not sure anymore. I've thought about using other services, for example OpenStreetMap with OpenLayers/Cesium etc., but by now I'm just very curious if the usage of the Google Maps API solely for theses/research purposes etc. is actually allowed at all! Is anyone able to shed some light on this issue? Most important questions about the issue put into words: - Is this usage allowed? - Is this usage possibly allowed because the "goal" of the implementation (the map screenshots) will be published, even though the actual implementation is not? * If so, what if the thesis has a Non-disclosure agreement (NDA), so while it is published, it will only be truly available to a rather small group of people? Thank you in advance! [1]: https://developers.google.com/maps/terms [2]: http://www.google.com/permissions/geoguidelines.html#maps-print -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Maps JavaScript API v3" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to google-maps-js-api-v3+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to google-maps-js-api-v3@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/google-maps-js-api-v3. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
