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Google Claims a TOS Violation On RouteBuilder For Using the Map API (medium.com)

Posted by timothy on from the mapping-means-control dept.

New submitter acm writes: RouteBuilder has been using the Google Maps API to help people share their routes (bicycling, hiking, etc) for a decade. Last week, Google sent an email demanding Routebuilder stop using the API: "In particular,your application violates clause 10.4(c), which does not allow developers to create a wrapper — an application that re-implements or duplicates the Google Maps website or mobile app, or any of the Google Maps APIs." Why did it take the Google Maps Team 10 years to decide they don't want pedometer-type sites to use their API?

6 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. because by jemmyw · · Score: 5, Insightful

    because they're about to launch their own pedometer type site?

    1. Re:because by bluelip · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The better headline would be "Website gets a free ride for ten years and now bitches"

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      Yep, I never spell check.
      More incorrect spellings can be found he
  2. This one is a classic. by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What happened? fit.google.com.

    When you build on somebody's platform, it's more or less expected that this sort of thing can happen. So long as you fill a niche that they cannot or don't wish to, you are an asset, you make their platform better vs. the competition, as long as you don't do anything blatantly abusive or system-breaking, any little TOS details clearly don't forbid whatever you are doing. You might even get called onstage during some CES demo or given favorable marketing placement.

    If your thing is either deemed a threat to the platform(as with Netscape's 'reduce windows to a set of poorly debugged device drivers' trash talking) or now overlaps with a feature that the platform owner wishes to add to their offerings; well, maybe you get acquired(as SoundJam MP became iTunes), maybe you'll just get squished. Happens every time.

  3. Re: just use openstreetmap... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    But the bonus is a good lesson: Don't use Google stuff. At all.

  4. Re:because MONEY by BoRegardless · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When you don't understand the reason look to the money.

  5. Re:Because old-style Google Maps by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I was wondering then this comment would come up, didn't take long. The new google maps interface is pure shit. It is literally fucking worthless to me on any trip with more than one stop. I am now planning routes on my Garmin, shit touch screen and all. This seems to be SOP at Google now: create something great, then shit all over it. I guess I should spin up my own webmail again on the expectation that they will break gmail soon

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"