Iran Threatens Legal Action Against Google For Not Labeling Gulf 'Persian'

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Iran Threatens Legal Action Against Google For Not Labeling Gulf 'Persian'

Posted by timothy on Thursday May 17, 2012 @07:32AM from the hearts-and-mines dept.

New submitter PantherSE writes with an article at CNN about the geopolitical importance of labeling, excerpting thus: "Iran has threatened legal action against Google for not labeling the Persian Gulf on its maps. 'Toying with modern technologies in political issues is among the new measures by the enemies against Iran, (and) in this regard, Google has been treated as a plaything,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Thursday, according to state-run Press TV. He added that 'omitting the name Persian Gulf is (like) playing with the feelings and realities of the Iranian nation.'"

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Seems so 1995... by adjuster · 2012-05-17 07:36 · Score: 5, Informative

Back in Windows 95 you could click on your country on the world map to set the time zone. A border dispute caused complaints to Microsoft and they removed the feature (http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2003/08/22/54679.aspx). This reminds me of that, only sillier.

--
The Attitude Adjuster, I hate me, you can too.
1. Re:Seems so 1995... by Chris+Burke · 2012-05-17 07:46 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I had to check and sure enough the Persian Gulf isn't labeled. So I did the obvious thing and scrolled over to China and saw that Taiwan was labeled Taiwan.
  As far as geopolitics go, I think keeping China happy by not provoking them on the Taiwan issue is far more important than ticking off Iran by not labeling the Persian Gulf.
  I couldn't even fathom why this was an issue, but google brought up this link about a naming dispute which Iran apparently takes quite seriously. So, if the goal was to piss off and humiliate Iran, wouldn't Google have labeled it the Arabian Gulf?
  
  --
  
  The enemies of Democracy are
2. Re:Seems so 1995... by chrb · 2012-05-17 07:53 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Indeed.
  Why isn't my time zone highlighted on the world map?
  
  In the original release of Windows 95, you could change your time zone by clicking on the map, and the time zone you selected would highlight. Similarly, you could change your Region Settings by clicking on the world map. This was one of those little touches that made Windows 95 that much more fun to use.
  But we had to remove those features within months of release, even though we based both of the maps on the borders officially recognized by the United Nations.
  In early 1995, a border war broke out between Peru and Ecuador and the Peruvian government complained to Microsoft that the border was incorrectly placed. Of course, if we complied and moved the border northward, we'd get an equally angry letter from the Ecuadorian government demanding that we move it back. So we removed the feature altogether.
  The time zone map met a similar fate. The Indian government threatened to ban all Microsoft software from the country because we assigned a disputed region to Pakistan in the time zone map. (Any map that depicts an unfavorable border must bear a government stamp warning the end-user that the borders are incorrect. You can't stamp software.) We had to make a special version of Windows 95 for them.
  Geopolitics is a very sensitive subject.
  
  Google gets entangled in Taiwan-China dispute
  
  Google Inc.'s popular online mapping service has become entangled in a long-running territorial dispute between China and Taiwan.
  Until recently, Google's maps described Taiwan as a "province of China." That sparked protests from Taiwan's government, which has considered its island an independent state since ending a civil war with China more than a half-century ago.
  Shortly after Taiwan's foreign ministry formally complained, the China reference abruptly disappeared from Google's Taiwan map last week. That change has provoked cries of dismay in China and talk of a possible boycott of Google's service in that country, according to Chinese media.
  If I recall correctly, Microsoft also faced the same issue after they suggested Taiwan was somehow an independent nation in locale settings, but they changed it after the Chinese government complained.
3. Re:Seems so 1995... by wisty · 2012-05-17 09:00 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  No, it's a "region". All the countries are "regions", but not all "regions" are necessarily countries. It's a great weasel word for people who want to reach some sort of consensus (i.e. on "country codes") without being able to resolve 50 year old conflicts. Taiwan also has its own "country code" (.tw), because it is an independent country, dependent territory, or special area of geographical interest - and the beauty is you don't have to say which.
  Seriously, Microsoft has had employees detained in China because they didn't make this sort of thing clear enough.
Re:What's missing? by Colonel+Korn · 2012-05-17 07:36 · Score: 5, Funny

Is the Persian Gulf unlabeled? Is it labeled "Gulf" (sounds stupid, but no reason for a lawsuit)? Is it labeled something else?
It's labeled Israeli Freedom Pond.

--
"I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)
Re:What's missing? by chill · 2012-05-17 07:41 · Score: 4, Funny

No. Google is moving to a sponsorship system. It is now "The Persian Gulf, brought to you by Budweiser".

--
Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
Do they mean ... by PPH · 2012-05-17 07:41 · Score: 5, Funny

... the Qatar Yacht Basin?

--
Have gnu, will travel.
US Government Does it Too by perry64 · 2012-05-17 07:42 · Score: 5, Informative

I was in the Navy, and after the Shah fell and Iran became a thorn in the side of the U.S., we stopped calling it the Persian Gulf and started calling it the Arabian Gulf. It's still called that by the Navy and U.S. Government to this day.

As it's bordered roughly on half by Arabian countries and half by Persian (Iran), there's a strong case for either.

I looked on Google Maps and there isn't a name now, although I don't know if that was that way prior to Iran's actions.
1. Re:US Government Does it Too by 0racle · 2012-05-17 08:08 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Persian Gulf Veterans would like to have a word with you.
  
  Persian Gulf naming dispute
  
  "In recent years, due to increased cooperation with Arab states of the Persian Gulf, various branches of the U.S. armed forces have issued directives to their members to use the "Arabian Gulf" when operating in the area ("Persian Gulf" is still used in official publications and websites), partially to follow local conventions, or simply to follow local laws that ban the use of "Persian Gulf", e.g. in the United Arab Emirates."
  
  As it's bordered roughly on half by Arabian countries and half by Persian (Iran), there's a strong case for either.
  Well I suppose if you ignore everything else, including the fact that up until the 60's those Arabian countries were perfectly fine with the name, then yes, they have just a strong claim.
  
  It has been called the Persian Gulf since around 550 BC.
  
  --
  "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
Re:Seriously by Enry · 2012-05-17 07:43 · Score: 4, Interesting

We had a group of people that insisted on using the phrase "Freedom Fries", so I don't think the US is one to talk about what's silly or not.
Re:What's missing? by Eevee · 2012-05-17 07:45 · Score: 5, Informative

Yet, a Google Maps search for the Persian Gulf takes you right to the unlabeled gulf, while searching for Arabian Gulf doesn't.
Persian vs Arabian by AliasMarlowe · 2012-05-17 07:47 · Score: 4, Informative

Some of the countries on the South shore of the gulf want it to be referred to as the Arabian Gulf. Which pisses off the Iranians (as intended) who prefer to call it the Persian Gulf. Google is avoiding picking sides by leaving it unlabeled.

--
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
1. Re:Persian vs Arabian by stanlyb · 2012-05-17 07:52 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Do you remember Alexander Makedonsky? Who fighted against, guess who, Persia? So guess what, it is Persian Gulf, it will be Persian Gulf, it was Persian Gulf when there was not even English language at all.
2. Re:Persian vs Arabian by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-17 08:00 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  In your case, there still is no English language at all.
3. Re:Persian vs Arabian by shutdown+-p+now · 2012-05-17 08:09 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  It is not the only such place, either - Sea of Japan is unlabeled as well (I assume because Korea takes an issue with that label, preferring to call it "Eastern Sea").
4. Re:Persian vs Arabian by slack_justyb · 2012-05-17 08:39 · Score: 3
  
  Excellent point! Indeed the Sea of Japan is unlabeled for the exact same reason. The name of the body of water is disputed. You deserve mod points!
5. Re:Persian vs Arabian by need4mospd · 2012-05-17 09:11 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Sorry that name was taken after my 10 year old's last pool party.
6. Re:Persian vs Arabian by poity · 2012-05-17 09:15 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Makedonsky was nothing. Genghis Mongolovski was more greater. Guess who he fighted? The EVERYBODY! He maked Turks very pride, so now Persian jealous and not call it real name, Mongol Gulf.
  
  --
  your thin skin doesn't make me a troll
7. Re:Persian vs Arabian by HornWumpus · 2012-05-17 11:34 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Better yet. Label it 'Persian Gulf' in Farsi, 'Arabian Gulf' in Arabic and 'Greater Israel Mega Fjord' in Hebrew.
  
  --
  John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
Turkey threatened HP over Kurdish Language by Anonymous Coward · 2012-05-17 07:58 · Score: 5, Interesting

I used to work for HP, and the Turkish government threatened to ban our Debian-based thin clients because one of the language options with Kurdish. Apparently, the Turks are so sensitive about the Kurds that even having the language option appear in the list was unacceptable within their country. They refuse to acknowledge the Kurds, so they try to wipe out any evidence within Turkey that they ever existed, past or present.
Re:Seriously by Dave+Emami · 2012-05-17 08:06 · Score: 3

There's a bit of a difference between calling something by a silly name, and threatening legal action against someone. I don't recall anyone from the US State Department (equivalent to the Foreign Ministry, I assume) ever mentioning the matter, much less threatening anyone who avoided the matter by just calling them "fries."
Though I do wonder: legal action? What are they going to sue Google for? The closet thing I can think of is lack of trademark attribution, which is still light years away from being applicable.

--

"The Greens lynched a hacker in Chicago. Last month, but I think the body's still hanging from the old Water Tower."
Google vs. nationalist stupidity by Vintermann · 2012-05-17 08:10 · Score: 5, Interesting

Oh, the many ways to provoke a nationalist!
I used to hang out on the Google translate forum. Every week there would be some loony nationalist who was deeply offended that
* His language was not implemented (Turks, mostly)
* His language was not implemented to his satisfaction (Lithuanians in particular. "Our language is the most complex in the world!")
* An "enemy" language was implemented ("Macedonian is not a language! It is a dialect of Bulgarian!" - said by Greeks)
* Their national anthem inexplicably got the words "God Save The Queen" inserted into them (an Irishman, memorably)
* etc.
In any case, the only explanation which they would accept was a deep conspiracy at Google to taunt and slight their proud nations.

--
xkcd is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.
Should change their name by Sentrion · 2012-05-17 08:12 · Score: 3, Interesting

They should change their name from IRAN to IRAA. Then we would be scared of their threats. Next thing North KORAA will be taking legal action against the New York Times for referring to them as a "Stalinist dictatorship " [1.]
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/02/international/asia/02CND-KORE.html?ex=1380513600&en=a29d7f1e49aabee0&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND
Google.ir by TheAngryMob · 2012-05-17 08:24 · Score: 3, Funny

My suggestion for Google,
Searches for "Persian Gulf" on Google.ir are going to return:
"Did you mean: 'How to violently overthrow an idiotic, oppressive regime'?"

--

Don't just game, Dungeoneer
All official US sources say Persian Gulf by andersh · 2012-05-17 09:20 · Score: 4, Informative

The White House, Department of Defense, the State department and the CIA beg to differ.
The Department of Defense says "Navy Looks to Bolster Capabilities in Persian Gulf" (2012):
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=67586
The State Department notes in a briefing by Secretary of State Clinton on her visit to India in May 2012 that peace in the Persian Gulf is important:
http://translations.state.gov/st/english/texttrans/2012/05/201205085219.html#axzz1vAEAsbH0
The White House's press briefing includes references to carriers in the Persian Gulf (2012):
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/09/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-4912/
This is the CIA's World Fact Book entry for Iran. Look at the map saying "Persian Gulf".
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html
The State Department shows the same map for Iran ("Persian Gulf"):
http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/ir/
The CIA's Persian Gulf War Task Force was last reviewed and updated in January 2012.
https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/gulfwar/index.htm
Re:Japanese vs Korean by slack_justyb · 2012-05-17 19:04 · Score: 3, Informative

The Koreans dispute the name, mainly the South Koreans. Like all naming disputes, it doesn't matter the lands that border them, it's mostly a political and pride issue. Koreans dislike the name because the name for the body of water arose when Korea was under Japaneese rule, so it is kind of a reminder to them of that period. Not all things in this world are based on sound reasoning. Just a hint of research on your part would have clued you in on this, however, I have the fortune to actually remember this point from high school days. Ah, memories!
Re:What's missing? by JWSmythe · 2012-05-17 20:28 · Score: 4, Interesting

hehe. Someone labeled it again. :) Well, I'll explain how to do it without the marker. It'll still work this way.
Go to http://maps.google.com/
Search "Persian Gulf"
In the middle of the gulf, right click, and select "Directions To Here"
You'll now have a green marker in the middle of the water. Click on it. It'll say something like

Address: 27.362011, 50.886841 Save to map more
Click on "More" and then click "Edit History"
Someone made the gulf a polygon back in 2009. You'll see it in the history. :) You can do this almost anywhere in the gulf, I'd think. I just aimed for the middle.
The Arabian Gulf also has a marker, but it's just off of Kuwait. It's been there since 2009, and there is some discussion on the fact it should be the entire gulf, not just a coastal area.

--
Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.