[OpenLayers-Users] Legality of OpenLayers and Google --> Show company location

[Pfirter Lukas]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the hint.
I posted on Google Map API and that's what came out if anyone is interested:
http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API/browse_thread/thread/b6f03fc4285c9a60/08f65ae46d0dfb14#08f65ae46d0dfb14
Lucas



-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Christopher Schmidt [mailto:crschmidt at metacarta.com] 
Gesendet: Freitag, 15. Juni 2007 17:03
An: Pfirter Lukas
Cc: users at openlayers.org
Betreff: Re: [OpenLayers-Users] Legality of OpenLayers and Google --> Show company location

On Fri, Jun 15, 2007 at 04:35:29PM +0200, Pfirter Lukas wrote:
> I went to the Google site and read trough both agreements, the "Google 
> Terms of Service" and the "Google Maps Terms and Conditions". Among 
> other things I found the following statement: "You may not use the 
> imagery in any commercial or business environment or for any 
> commercial or business purposes for yourself or any third parties". 
> Does that mean that I can't display it on my company site or just, 
> that I can't sell a product containing the Google Map implementation?

That question is better suited for a Google Maps discussion group, possibly http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API . 

> There was another statement (I don't see it now) which said that I can 
> only use Google Maps "as is", does that mean packing it inside 
> OpenLayers isn't legal for productive use?

The wording there is probably meant to imply the legal meaning of "AS IS", which usually means "If it blows your computer up, it's not our fault."

OpenLayers uses Google Maps in a manner which is entirely in line with the API documentation. The Javascript is not modified. Essentially, Google Maps is used in exactly the way described by the API... only with a heck of a lot of website chrome around it. The chrome just happens to be invisible.

> Well I hope some of you can give me a hint on how to realize this or 
> on where I can get the confirmation that the use of GoogleMaps / 
> OpenLayers on my company website is legal.

The use of OpenLayers is legal. The use of OpenLayers and Google Maps together is limited only by the same restrictions that would apply if you were to use Google Maps on your website, and addresisng that concern is better suited for a Google Maps API group.

Regards,
--
Christopher Schmidt
MetaCarta