MGMaps

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:08 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:08 pm

neil.young wrote:

Quote:

http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/J2ME_Google_Maps_API

From my own experience - all my postings have been removed from Google's forums, because I've discussed and published my knowledge about Google Maps for Mobile internals (find it now at http://maps.alphadex.de) - I would doubt, that this use case does _not_ attack Google's flagship application and does _not_ violate GOOG's T&C in any way. But I do not have to judge on this.

Regards

They can say you have reverse-engineered their application/service (even if you have not decompiled it, reverse-engineering can mean a lot of things)... and that's definitely against their ToS.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

neil.young — Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:45 pm

Author: neil.young

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:45 pm

Quote:

http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/J2ME_Google_Maps_API

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:19 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:19 pm

srdjan wrote:

Neil, I do understand how it works. I stumbled upon the link
http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/J2ME_Google_Maps_API

I was wondering if the fact they have this option available in the first place allows developers to display map tiles on mobiles. This was initial TOS problem with map providers etc. -- if I understood discussion on this topic correctly.

Being developer of mobile application myself, I have a doubt whether to go "legally" with Google Maps API or not - or continue "stealing" Virtual Earth ortho tiles (pretty much the same way as I would use Google Static Maps API)

Srdjan

I understand what you mean... but the terms still include some specifics that say 'you are not allowed to access the map tiles directly without going through the API'. The API provides only AJAX, flash or static (large image) maps.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

srdjan — Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:30 am

Author: srdjan

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:30 am

Neil, I do understand how it works. I stumbled upon the link
http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/J2ME_Google_Maps_API

I was wondering if the fact they have this option available in the first place allows developers to display map tiles on mobiles. This was initial TOS problem with map providers etc. -- if I understood discussion on this topic correctly.

Being developer of mobile application myself, I have a doubt whether to go "legally" with Google Maps API or not - or continue "stealing" Virtual Earth ortho tiles (pretty much the same way as I would use Google Static Maps API)

Srdjan

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

neil.young — Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:18 am

Author: neil.young

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:18 am

No, it does not change anything. Static Maps is just a way to render a static map image outside the client machine (without JavaScript and stuff), so that the client browser just has to display a graphics. Although you may place some POIs and markers on that graphics, it does not allow you to pan or zoom from the initial position. In other words - it is useless for Christian's purposes.

Regards

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

srdjan — Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:30 pm

Author: srdjan

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:30 pm

Hi Cristian!

I have just recently browsed the Google Maps API FAQ, and it says:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/faq.html#mapsformobile

How do I deliver Maps applications on mobile devices?

The Google Maps API requires a complete JavaScript environment which is not broadly supported on existing mobile devices. We recommend using the Google Static Maps API to deliver customized maps to mobile phones:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/staticmaps/

This delivers maps in GIF/JPG/PNG format, and supports a map type targeted at mobile devices.

---

At the second link, you can even find ways to get "mobile map images, designed for better display on mobile devices with higher resolutions and smaller screen sizes."

Maybe TOS had changed recently in a way that it makes possible now to use Google Maps in mobile application?

Srdjan

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:42 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:42 am

neil.young wrote:

May I ask again: Do you know about any restriction using the Routes and Direction API as is applied to the Map API?

No, I don't know about any such restrictions...

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

neil.young — Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:05 am

Author: neil.young

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:05 am

May I ask again: Do you know about any restriction using the Routes and Direction API as is applied to the Map API?

BTW: Seems, that neither Yahoo nor Microsoft claim any properties here. That is strange enough...

Regards and Happy New Year

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:38 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:38 am

neil.young wrote:

I'm still wondering: The Google guys did obviously not complain about your usage of their Routes and Directions API (?!) Besides: Routes and directions are coming in English only, although I've chosen German. At least with the 2.x API there are parameters in the query string, by which you might control the language of the presented routes (&hl=de&gl=de), probably this info is useful to you.

You're right, I know the directions are available in various languages, and I'll add support for them in mgmaps some time later.

Cristian

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

neil.young — Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:26 pm

Author: neil.young

Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:26 pm

Hi Cristian,

I recently found your nice app. The Google thing was very intersting to me, because I recently wrote a comparible app in python for S60, which got the tiles from Google. I already thought that there might be some legal problems and there are some, indeed.

I'm still wondering: The Google guys did obviously not complain about your usage of their Routes and Directions API (?!) Besides: Routes and directions are coming in English only, although I've chosen German. At least with the 2.x API there are parameters in the query string, by which you might control the language of the presented routes (&hl=de&gl=de), probably this info is useful to you.

Regards

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

Cristian Streng — Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:57 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:57 pm

gsok wrote:

Google has now own google maps software for j2me. I think you really should try the legal way and ask them. There is nothing to loose, it`s just a question. With applications it`s also sometimes good when other peoples have to judge, google`s staff policy is more innovation then conservative so a policy change or special agreement is not that improbable.

Let me rephrase: I did ask them and they said no.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

gsok — Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:22 pm

Author: gsok

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:22 pm

Cristian Streng wrote:

Maybe you didn't read it carefully, they requested that I remove support for google maps.

Yes, department 1 requested to remove support for google because you have no agreement yet. The work of this department is only to find and to hut down breaking agreements but not to make new agreements.

But there is another department where you can make and application/suggestion for an new agreement. The department who mailed you hasn`t to judge that. It`s strict distribution of tasks.

Google has now own google maps software for j2me. I think you really should try the legal way and ask them. There is nothing to loose, it`s just a question. With applications it`s also sometimes good when other peoples have to judge, google`s staff policy is more innovation then conservative so a policy change or special agreement is not that improbable.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

Cristian Streng — Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:22 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:22 am

gsok wrote:

The department who mailed you has not to decide if you get permission or not. It was just their task that you don`t have at the moment and them informed you.

Maybe you didn't read it carefully, they requested that I remove support for google maps.

And FYI, I did discuss with someone at Google who informed me there is _no_ chance they will ever allow the use of their map data in _any_ mobile application. That's simply because the terms of their providers specifically mention that. So all the other applications similar to Mobile GMaps are illegal in Google's vision, they simply did not go to them because they didn't consider them to be of any significance

Cristian

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

gsok — Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:03 am

Author: gsok

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:03 am

Google has a lot department`s. One we know now, it`s the "Google Enforcement Team".

Currently there is no permission to do so but read very carefully...

Cristian Streng wrote:

...

Quote:

...
you should not create
derivative works, such as your application, without contacting us and
obtaining our permission first.
...

...

The department who mailed you has not to decide if you get permission or not. It was just their task that you don`t have at the moment and them informed you.

BUT.

It might be a good idea to ask them for permission.

However, this is still a great program. Don`t drop it, you have still enough fans.

MGMaps is free so why not allowed to use Google Maps ?

skatebiker — Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:04 am

Author: skatebiker

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:04 am

The whole discussion on the denial of use of Google Maps is about the use of mobile applications.

When MGMaps were a commercial application then Google is right as making money by riding on the success of Google without paying royalties is illegal and then Google is right.

However, MGMaps is free and Cristian does not make money with the product so what are Google complaining about ???

Maybe Google has no right to cut off usage of a free public application...??

Re: what bs

ghostbox — Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:49 am

Author: ghostbox

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:49 am

Cristian Streng wrote:

Yep, that's what I have in mind next for Custom Maps - some "preset" lists of custom maps that can be loaded from some predefined locations. Of course, the hosting providers could be asked by Google to take down the page...

sounds perfect! good thing there are so many free hosting providers or possibly a torrent might be more effective...

Re: what bs

Cristian Streng — Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:03 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:03 pm

ghostbox wrote:

wouldn't it be possible to create a intermediary application which simply takes a location request and displays the google map?

this way the intermediary does not violate tos, as it simply takes a location request and displays the result. and mgmaps is good to go because it only displays maps from the intermediary...just remove any references to google in the application.

That's more or less what I did with the support for Custom Maps. In this case there's no intermediary but the user needs to enter the URL for Google maps (it can be found on this forum). With an intermediary application it would be a TOS problem with this application as it would display the google maps and it would contain reference to google.

ghostbox wrote:

or just as well...a link to some random free hosting service with mgmaps available for download and magically the google maps still works.

Re: Using Google Maps

ghostbox — Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:47 pm

Author: ghostbox

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:47 pm

sune wrote:

Sorry to hear this.

There are of course strong commercial interrests from NAVTEQ since your free product competes with their commercial products.

BR Sune Jakobsson

Quote:

Except where you have been specifically licensed to do so by Google, you may not use Google Maps with any products, systems, or applications installed or otherwise connected to or in communication with vehicles, capable of vehicle navigation, positioning, dispatch, real time route guidance, fleet management or similar applications.

http://www.teleatlas.com/WhyTeleAtlas/Pressroom/PressReleases/TA_D_010118

http://www.telenav.com/about/pr/pr-20060906.html

tele atlas / navteq provides data for google. both of these companies have agreements with telenav, which provides a gps positioning service which users can subscribe for $9.95/mo with sprint. hmm wonder why they wouldn't want anyone using the data for positioning??

400k downloads of mgmaps * $10/mo = $4,000,000/mo. yea...that might be a little incentive for them.

what bs

ghostbox — Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:20 pm

Author: ghostbox

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:20 pm

wouldn't it be possible to create a intermediary application which simply takes a location request and displays the google map?

this way the intermediary does not violate tos, as it simply takes a location request and displays the result. and mgmaps is good to go because it only displays maps from the intermediary...just remove any references to google in the application.

its all just semantics

or just as well...a link to some random free hosting service with mgmaps available for download and magically the google maps still works.

in the end...if users have already gone through all the trouble to get mgmaps when they could just pay their mobile provider a few bucks...they will continue to work around the barriers...attempts by google, or others, to block it will be futile - but perhaps these attempts are just to save face???

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:58 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:58 am

sxpert wrote:

hi there
I am one of the main contributors to OpenStreetMap, a community project that has a goal of replacing google maps and all other map data distributors.
The project is based on a wiki-like system where everyone can create and update their area of the world.
granted, the maps are not complete (yet *g*), but the more people participate, the faster completeness (or complete enough to be useable) will be achieved.

see http://www.openstreetmap.org for details (make sure to check out the wiki too)

Hi,

I know about OpenStreetMap, in fact MGMaps has support for it - you can enable it in Settings/Map Types. The maps are far from being "complete" compared with the maps provided by the big providers, but you're right, if enough people contribute they may become usable for some regions.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

sxpert — Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:04 am

Author: sxpert

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:04 am

hi there
I am one of the main contributors to OpenStreetMap, a community project that has a goal of replacing google maps and all other map data distributors.
The project is based on a wiki-like system where everyone can create and update their area of the world.
granted, the maps are not complete (yet *g*), but the more people participate, the faster completeness (or complete enough to be useable) will be achieved.

see http://www.openstreetmap.org for details (make sure to check out the wiki too)

Re: map24

Cristian Streng — Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:09 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:09 am

danyvip wrote:

Hi,
Could you please take a look at map24? They're mapping eastern europe right now and offering routable maps.

Is there a way to add them as a custom map? For me, this would be a google-killer (for online maps at least).

Thanks

I don't think there's any way to do that, since they don't provide imagery output in tiles (the big output image is generated on the server).

map24

danyvip — Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:46 am

Author: danyvip

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:46 am

Hi,
Could you please take a look at map24? They're mapping eastern europe right now and offering routable maps.

Is there a way to add them as a custom map? For me, this would be a google-killer (for online maps at least).

Thanks

Re: Google

Cristian Streng — Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:07 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:07 am

gpz wrote:

Hi, until yesterday August 15 my old 1.33.08 MGMaps version was acessing normaly Google data; today August 16 cant display any satellite view, only map. Same behaviour with "personal" servers customized in recent versions ?
Gian-Paolo - Brazil

No, this still works fine. Try Help/Update Check to update the map versions, maybe that is the problem.

Google

gpz — Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:40 pm

Author: gpz

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:40 pm

Hi, until yesterday August 15 my old 1.33.08 MGMaps version was acessing normaly Google data; today August 16 cant display any satellite view, only map. Same behaviour with "personal" servers customized in recent versions ?
Gian-Paolo - Brazil

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

hjm — Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:44 am

Author: hjm

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:44 am

I just had updated the midlet I had on my cellphone to newer one and I was quite surprised it didn't have Google maps anymore. Reading the news on this site was quite depressing.

But making it possible to use custom map server was a nice move, Christian! I just wonder if Google can still say your app is violating their terms. Can they? Obviously, you are not telling what the map server address is, but that was easy to find with err... Google's search engine.

Keep it up Christian! Your app is really the best you can get to mobiles, only Opera Mini can compete with it!

Re: Using Google Maps

Cristian Streng — Mon Aug 06, 2007 1:53 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 1:53 pm

sune wrote:

But Google did provide the best map i Norway.
Is there a way if one used a private Google Maps API key?
Or how could one use a proxy to provide Google maps anyway?

No, I don't think that the Google Maps API key would matter for them... But you can configure mgmaps to connect to google maps by adding a custom map type... I'm not going to provide the configuration here but there are others who already did that on this forum (hint: search for google.com).

Using Google Maps

sune — Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:17 pm

Author: sune

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:17 pm

Sorry to hear this.

There are of course strong commercial interrests from NAVTEQ since your free product competes with their commercial products.

But Google did provide the best map i Norway.
Is there a way if one used a private Google Maps API key?
Or how could one use a proxy to provide Google maps anyway?

BR Sune Jakobsson

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:39 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:39 pm

n95_rit wrote:

On a technical level, is it possible that mgmaps works inside a browser like safari or opera mini ? In that case, it should be possible to use Java and Javascript right ?

Well, that wouldn't be possible. Opera mini is (simply put) a software that displays and scrolls images served by the opera server. The web pages are pre-rendered on the server up to some level, the mobile version has no real javascript support as far as I know. The web browser in N95 and other Nokias is based on Safari and has support for Javascript, but not to the level of javascript used by google maps or the google maps api. In short, mgmaps would work in a browser according to the google maps api terms only if the full google maps site worked in the mobile browser...

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

n95_rit — Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:59 pm

Author: n95_rit

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:59 pm

Hi Cristian,
i agree with the various posts here that this is really disappointing on Google's part, and limiting the great work done by you on mgmaps. I think the google guys got to mobile gmaps on ideas similar to your and other's apps! I do hope they change their decision esp since your application is freeware and your are not commercially benefiting from mgmaps ...

On a technical level, is it possible that mgmaps works inside a browser like safari or opera mini ? In that case, it should be possible to use Java and Javascript right ?

I hope other sites like yahoo, ms etc don't follow google's narrow vision on this.

Regards

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

N1029676 — Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:57 am

Author: N1029676

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:57 am

This is really disappointing.

Christian, we are all proud of you and your awesome app that you have worked on so far. Removal of Google Maps is a definite bummer but, i guess we will live, after all we still have GMaps!

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

MrPete — Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:05 pm

Author: MrPete

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:05 pm

It could be cell phone, or could be vehicle, gps, tracking, etc.

I'm familiar with map data licensing going waaayyy back. It's common for providers to license specific data for specific purposes. They can sell to different clients, for different purposes, for different $$$.

Since vehicle/tracking/gps systems are a humongous market, it's no surprise that the Google Maps license prohibits use for those things.

Since Google has created specific end-user tools, it's also no surprise that their license prohibits reuse for other purposes.

If it were otherwise, Navtech et al would ultimately only have a single customer -- once licensed to that customer, nobody else would bother; they'd just copy the original data.

Ultimately, this issue is likely to kill MGMap's legal access to proprietary map data from ALL sources, not just Google. Gotta either find public domain sources, or find a way to become integrated into something like the Google business model.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:14 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:14 pm

MrPete wrote:

I'm pretty sure it is the mobile aspect. This is from the Google Maps license wording online:

It may be the mobile aspect, considering google has a mobile application too with less features than MGMaps. However I don't think the reason is related to that paragraph or to the fact that the application includes GPS functionality.

Cristian

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

MrPete — Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:07 pm

Author: MrPete

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 12:07 pm

I'm pretty sure it is the mobile aspect. This is from the Google Maps license wording online:

The Google Maps license specifically says the following:

Quote:

Re: MGMaps/J2memap

Cristian Streng — Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:05 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:05 am

tomsoft wrote:

Well, interesting news....

I would also that MGMaps was not the only application before GoogleMap mobile, j2memap appears in summer 2005 too, so before GoogleMap mobile.

Yes, there were other applications even before us... http://www.sreid.org/GMapViewer/ . They never received any termination message from google, but stopped development for some other reason.

tomsoft wrote:

Did not received yet a letter from Google, it will probably happens in the future too.....

I wouldn't be surprised if it does...

tomsoft wrote:

I've tried to contact Google several times to get a commercial aggreement with them, without any succes!

Well, whenever they ask some project to terminate [example 1] [example 2], they put the blaim on their providers (navteq, teleatlas, etc.) and say their license only allows the use of map images in google products. While that may be true, there's still something wrong with the fact they allow free use of the maps in web mashups but not in mobile applications.

In other news, there's an article on Ogle Earth about MGMaps and this situation.

MGMaps/J2memap

tomsoft — Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:40 am

Author: tomsoft

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:40 am

Well, interesting news....

I would also that MGMaps was not the only application before GoogleMap mobile, j2memap appears in summer 2005 too ( http://J2memap.landspurg.net ) , so before GoogleMap mobile.

Did not received yet a letter from Google, it will probably happens in the future too.....

I've tried to contact Google several times to get a commercial aggreement with them, without any succes!

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:59 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:59 am

Cinq-Marquis wrote:

I am sorry to hear this (as I am a Google fan).
I'd have thought that Mr. G/. would contact you with the message that a check for $ 5,000,000.00 was on its way to you for your excellent work !

Hehe, they're a company, remember? That means they would only show signs of appreciation if those signs increased the profit

Cinq-Marquis wrote:

Apart from the tech stuff.... will it still work on my N95 or should I remove it ?

Sure, it will still work on your N95, it will also access any stored maps (pre-downloaded) including Google's.

avs wrote:

It would be possible to use the wikimapia?

Sure, wikimapia functionality is still there - it doesn't have anything to do with google maps support.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

zangetsu — Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:48 am

Author: zangetsu

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:48 am

wow. i never would have said google sucks, but now i do

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

avs — Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:45 pm

Author: avs

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:45 pm

It would be possible to use the wikimapia?

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cinq-Marquis — Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:15 pm

Author: Cinq-Marquis

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:15 pm

I am sorry to hear this (as I am a Google fan).
I'd have thought that Mr. G/. would contact you with the message that a check for $ 5,000,000.00 was on its way to you for your excellent work !

Apart from the tech stuff.... will it still work on my N95 or should I remove it ?

MGMaps v1.36

Cristian Streng — Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:16 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:16 pm

Mobile GMaps v1.36.00 is now available, it includes support for custom maps as well as a re-designed screen to choose available map sources. You can add custom maps or enable/disable available maps in Settings/Map Types - then switch the map with "0".

Cristian

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

anujpurohit — Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:47 am

Author: anujpurohit

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:47 am

Hi Cristian ,
Its very sad to hear tht.. but as u said tht you would be providing a URL option from where we can use server , so that includes our dream server:?: .. and if not cant something be done , like users can use every feature on their own risk sort of....

As the map tiler script may also be called of by google .. so like installing a module on owner risk without your support....

Fingers Crossed
(If Not Good Bye Google and MGmaps will always ROCK!!!!!)

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:56 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:56 am

spadival wrote:

I think it took some time for Google Enforcement Team to wake up !! If anything, I feel this is gonna make Mgmaps more popular without crippling its functionality.

I hope so too...

spadival wrote:

Have they said anything about using Google search/routing from mgmaps?

No, they didn't mind about that (yet).

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

spadival — Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:36 am

Author: spadival

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:36 am

I think it took some time for Google Enforcement Team to wake up !! If anything, I feel this is gonna make Mgmaps more popular without crippling its functionality.

Have they said anything about using Google search/routing from mgmaps?

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:20 am

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:20 am

steeven wrote:

is it possible to ask google to relase a licnese for mgmaps?

You would be asking them to change their terms... of course it's possible, but judging on the contents of those emails I got from them, it's useless, they wouldn't do something like that.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

steeven — Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:53 am

Author: steeven

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:53 am

is it possible to ask google to relase a licnese for mgmaps?

the official google maps for mobile is too simple for users.

we should send letters to google to complain about the weird decision.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Cristian Streng — Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:55 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:55 pm

adszhu wrote:

Crisitian, I am awfully sorry to hear the news. I wonder what the reasons are behind. Maybe its time for GMM to support GPS, but I am not sure if the presence of MGMaps is against it, by any meaning...
I do believe in MGMaps and keep an eye on your RSS
Ádám

It's not all that bad, the downloader script will still be functional, and the custom map support may compensate for the predefined Google maps.

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

adszhu — Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:46 pm

Author: adszhu

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:46 pm

Crisitian, I am awfully sorry to hear the news. I wonder what the reasons are behind. Maybe its time for GMM to support GPS, but I am not sure if the presence of MGMaps is against it, by any meaning...
I do believe in MGMaps and keep an eye on your RSS
Ádám

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

Cristian Streng — Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:01 pm

Author: Cristian Streng

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:01 pm

RangerRick wrote:

Quote:

You are also creating a derivative work which
very closely resembles our own mobile mapping application

Technically they're creating a work that resembles yours. The earliest reference I can find to GMM is in 2006, and your first release was in 2005.

Yes, Mobile GMaps is older than GMM (gmm was called glm initially and appeared in November 2005, while MGMaps was launched in July 2005). Still, they are saying I'm creating derivative work of Google maps and not of Google maps for mobile.

mwice wrote:

By the way... what is their API ? Some javascript ? Is there are some way to use it in programms not on wed ?

Their API is indeed some javascript, no way to use it in non-web software. Although, mgmaps is technically just some web software that retrieves map tiles from Google over plain HTTP with no higher level protocol or authentication.

mwice wrote:

And question i forgot to ask.. what will happen with www.gmap-track.com ? I guess it use API ?

Yes, it uses the API so there's no problem with that.

Cristian

Re: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMa

RangerRick — Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:49 pm

Author: RangerRick

Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:49 pm

Quote:

The API license only applies if you use our API.

True enough, although I think it's a bit silly -- the net effect is essentially identical. But I can understand people not liking sidestepping the official APIs.

Quote:

You are also creating a derivative work which
very closely resembles our own mobile mapping application

Technically they're creating a work that resembles yours. The earliest reference I can find to GMM is in 2006, and your first release was in 2005.

Quote:

and using our trademarks without prior permission or a license, which again is not allowed.

This, I would think, is a legitimate concern as well. Trademark law is very picky and you have to be very diligent in appropriately referencing the trademarks when using someone else's name.