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First Google Maps Hack Takedown

Posted by timothy on from the how-about-an-ellroy-crime-site-map-of-LA dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Despite "users accelerating innovation" with Google Maps the 'hacks' are not immune from Google's legal team, who have taken down "Google Wallpapers for violating the terms of agreement. From a quick skim through the terms it would seem that most sites using the Google Maps data are in violation. Are Chicago Crime and Google Sightseeing next to go?" It may be a shame to shut down Google Maps offshoots, but that has to be the nicest take-down note I've ever seen; it's polite, friendly and reasonable. Update: 06/08 21:22 GMT by T : Below, a few more of the current uses for Google Maps. An anonymous reader submits "The AP is running a story about the multiple uses for Google Maps. Among the uses, Tracking sexual predators in Florida, Guiding travelers to the cheapest gas nationwide, Pinpointing $1,500 studio apartments for rent in Manhattan, and Finding crime in Chicago. It'll be interesting to see if Google allows these sites to remain online or not."

5 of 325 comments (clear)

  1. Getting Google Takedowns with Google... by Greg+Wright · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Funny, you can still get to the python script that generates the wallpapers from the cached pages of http://gmerge.2ni.net/ on Google itself:

    http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:lNdeCgLHUdwJ:le vinux.org/~2ni/gmerge/+google+maps+wallpaper&hl=en

    Get it while its still there! :)

    --
    --greg Vulcan quiescent... Q: What machine shutdown with this message?
  2. That is friendly, by MrByte420 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    No...

    1. Lawyers
    2. Due Dates
    3. Use of the word "compliance"
    4. Use of the word "further action"
    5. Nice invitation to a developers conference.

    I'll take that over the .*AA any day.

    --
    If religous zealots don't believe in Evolution, then why are they so worried about bird flu?
  3. Interesting wording by jandrese · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It sounds like Google Maps had to sign an agreement not to let the image data be used for commercial purposes. I wonder if they got a letter telling them to take down the offending site or be sued?

    --

    I read the internet for the articles.
  4. Re:Tough call by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 4, Interesting
    As someone who has tried to get a number of permission deals from various industries, I'll let you know right now that RIAA and MPAA related companies tend to completely ignore you, even when you've emailed, faxed and sent snail mail (there's no way to get to a real person in charge of such things at the phone numbers I've tried).

    Software publishers (I've never tried to contact a BSA publisher) and other independent media publishers are usually delighted to make a deal; often, even for free, or with a small percentage kickback if you're doing something for-profit.

    I'm glad Google has decided to side with the independents instead of the corporate behemoths on their treatment of individuals in this case, and actually acknowledge that corporations share the world with individual human beings.

  5. Re:This is what I get: by d34thm0nk3y · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I find it somewhat ironic that a company that makes a significant portion of it's revenue by deep-linking to sites is sending takedown notices to people who deep-link their site.