Google is not impressed.
The ENFORCEMENT team have been screaming blind at Cristian Streng of MGMaps (developer of one of the best mobile mapping applications around).
MGMaps makes use of Google Maps, Microsoft, Ask, OpenStreetMap and Yahoo.
Google’s ENFORCEMENT team were having none of it. Here’s what that looks like:
We understand that you have developed an application, Mobile Gmaps, that displays maps tiles from our Google Maps for mobile application.
You probably did this to show support for Google, but this use of our
map tiles violates our rights and the rights of the entities that
license those map tiles to us. As indicated in the Terms of Service
accompanying Google Maps for mobile
(http://www.google.com/gmm/tc.html?hl=en), you should not create
derivative works, such as your application, without contacting us and
obtaining our permission first.Because your use of our content is not authorized, we must ask that
you stop displaying maps tiles from Google Maps for mobile in your own application. Please confirm immediately that you will do so.Regards,
Google Enforcement Team
You’d think that Google, big friendly giant that they are, would have written a friendly mail to Cristian to thank him for picking up, running and innovating with their stuff. I would have imagined they might have emailed to ask him to license their stuff for a nominal $500 fee or something, to make it ‘legal’.
One imagines that MGMaps, whilst being a really smart implementation, does not pose a serious threat at all to Google’s world domination strategy. If anything, they could even have offered to acquire it. Or the could have explained just exactly what they didn’t like and offered an alternative solution.
But, well. It’s always disappointing when ENFORCEMENT teams step into the breach. Clearly, a senior Google executive needs to step in and sort out the mess.
MGMaps still works perfectly well with other mapping services so I certainly recommend you take a look at it.
The full news from MGMaps is here and you can download it here.
8 replies on “Users apoplectic at Google for stamping on MGMaps”
I am sad for Christian, but at the same time understand Google’s position. From a purely strategic point of view, MGMaps is the most popular “non vendor” mobile mapping application out there, and Google is pushing mobile gmaps hard along with the magical GPhone if it ever happens.
Secondly, it is well known in the geo community about the T’s and C’s that go along with using the API, especially the direct tile access.
The reason is simple, Google, even though they are a big company still has to license each map tile from Navteq or Teleatlas. This is a per tile license fee, which Google picks up the cost of.
All mobile applications that tie into GMaps access the tiles directly, which is a hit on Google for every request.
This is why location based startupsget stuck; because having a real, licensed mapping engine is expensive, and to get Google, Yahoo or Microsoft’s map coverage would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.
It sucks, but that’s how it works. There are so many people in the chain who need a cut; from the license holder (e.g. the Ordanance Surve), the maping provider (Navteq/Teleatlas) and Google. Each with their own margins, each with their own pricing model.
I thought Google’s email was quite friendly….
what a load of total hot air. Is this Christian a total arse?
The letter was standard legal banter, and would have been sent by someone who has probably never even seen his offering. Welcome to the commercial world. I’m not saying its the case here, but I think it’s always beneficial for entrepeneurs and new product trailblazers to have even a modicum of previous ‘real world’ exprerience.
This letter is practically infers that permission for him to use the service will be given if he actually bothers to use some courtesy and ask Google first.
I disagree — couldn’t the letter have said ‘can we work to sort out a license for you’ rather than stop? I know it’s standard legalese but it could have used a bit of care!
What? Legal letters 2.0? ‘LOL’
Of course in a perfect world they would have spent the time and effort to turn a resist email into a sales/promotion opportunity. But lets get real..
I think the point here is that the letter was standard legalese, but by legal terms it was already VERY soft, and it pretty much outwardly told him what to do in order to sort the issue out without outwardly condoning his actions. From what they said in the letter, Google themselves license in much of the content and have this to bear in mind also.
Christian basically got his knickers in a twist and started righting silly blog posts rather than calling up Google straight away and getting permission. He’s cut his nose of to spite his face as far as I can see.
Ewan, when you’re CEO of big corp you can make sure to either employ end to end 2.0 stylised guru’s, or you can personally over see each and every legal letter that goes out. Again, sorry, but LOL.
righting? ‘writing’.. it’s too early in the am, and I’m sans coffee
As a developper of an alternate application to Google Map ( http://j2memap.landspurg.net or http://8motions.com ) I’ve tried several time to contact Google, on various email address to discuss a commercial agreement on how to access their tiles on a legal way.
I must say that I did not revceive any feedback from them (including from the address supposed sending this letter), even a negative one!
Perhaps this is a sign that Google is FINALLY going to get off their arse and add GPS support to their GoogleMapsMobile application?
Personally, I prefer MGMaps (and will continue to use it) over GoogleMapsMobile for simple navigation even without GPS. They have more options and are updated FAR quicker and more often.