First Google Maps Hack Takedown

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."

Comments

Sorry Google, but there ain't no contract

[russotto]

Terms? There's no agreement between the users of a website and that website, no matter what Google says. Google may be able to prevent commercial use of the images because that would violate their statutory rights under the copyright act, but they can't just invent any old set of terms and successfully claim that by using their web site you've agreed to them, any more than Fox can dictate the terms of your television-watching to you.

Re:Google Maps are awfully distorted anyway

[Goobermunch]

I don't know, they look pretty square to me . . .

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=anchorage+ak&ll=61.2 44263,-149.808726&spn=0.006927,0.010224&hl=en

If anyone's curious, that's my old house.

--AC

Re:Google Maps are awfully distorted anyway

[pinchhazard]

For example, Anchorage is stretched horizontally by a factor of 1.60 (yup those should be right angles).

How did you get to +5? Did any mods bother to zoom out or scroll around on the linked map? There are plenty of square and rectangular city blocks on the map, your link just shows a place where the streets don't run to 90 degree angles.

YOU LIKEWISE FAIL IT

Yep, they are doing evil

[Snaller]

...but when did they jump the shark - with google groups 2 I suppose.

g666gle

[ocularDeathRay]

I think google is replacing microsoft as the source of all evil in the world.