I'd like to write an app which uses google maps (via javascript library like gmaps.js).
I'll GET the GPS positions from my server and I'll use google maps+js library to draw them on map.
I don't need to use any api-keys.
Is it free and unlimited or even for commercial usage?
10.1.2 Restrictions against Commercial Use.
(a) No Fees. You must not charge users or any other third party any fee for the use of the Maps API Implementation, the Service, or the Content, except as permitted under Section 9.1.2 (Exceptions).
(b) No Direct Marketing. You must not print more than 5,000 copies of sales collateral materials containing a screenshot of the Content for purposes of commercial sales lead generation ("Direct Marketing") or incorporate the Content as a core part of printed matter (such as printed maps or guide books) that you redistribute for a fee. You must contact the Google Maps API for Work sales team to obtain a direct license if you desire to do either of the above.
Google's Terms of service
EDIT
https://developers.google.com/maps/licensing Shows you the licencing Agreement too!
More of the licence:
9.1.1 General Rules.
(a) Free Access (No Fees). Your Maps API Implementation must be generally accessible to users without charge and must not require a fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access. This rule applies to Your Content and any other content in your Maps API Implementation, whether Your Content or the other content is in existence now or is added later.
(b) Public Access (No Firewall). Your Maps API implementation must not operate (i) only behind a firewall; or (ii) only on an internal network (except during the development and testing phase); or (iii) in a closed community (for example, through invitation-only access).
9.1.2 Exceptions.
(a) Enterprise Agreement with Google. The rules in Section 9.1.1 (Free Access, Public Access) do not apply if you have entered into a separate written agreement with Google (such as a Google Enterprise agreement) or obtained Google's written permission.
(b) Mobile Applications.
(i) The rule in Section 9.1.1(a) (Free Access) does not apply if your Maps API Implementation is used in a mobile application that is sold for a fee through an online store and is downloadable to a mobile device that can access the online store.
(ii) The rule in Section 9.1.1(b) (Public Access) does not apply if your Maps API Implementation is an Android application that uses the Google Maps Android API. (However, the rule in Section 9.1.1(b) (Public Access) will continue to apply if your Maps API Implementation is an Android application that uses any other Maps APIs, unless the Maps API Implementation qualifies for the exception in Section 9.1.2(a) (Enterprise Agreement with Google).)
Related
This is more of a non-technical question, but here goes.
I have authored several tools that can make use of use of the Google Geocode and Directions Web APIs as part of some "plugin/extension" type software I have written (but not released) for a desktop-based commercial GIS application. These tools of course adheer to the 2500 geocodes/day limit and a 10 request/second throtle. I have written several other geocoding/directions tools that hit off other free/unlimited web APIs (ESRI, OSM, etc.). Since Google is so well known, I would like to include the Google APIs as well. However, in reading the Google API Terms of Service https://developers.google.com/maps/terms#section_10_12, my use case of a non-web based application seems a bit legally vague... Some more details: My software download is free, however has a relatively small processing limit (< 10 geocodes/routes) in place unless a full license is purchased (from me). For the Google-based tools, my GUI is set up to include Google 'Client Id' and 'Digital Signature' parameters (with explainations and weblinks) so that end users can make use of their Google Business License. Additionally, my software encodes the returned geocode/direction results into standard GIS formats, and can alter the output coordinate system. My software doesn't display the geocode/directions results on a 'Google Map' base layer persay, but doesn't neccessarily display it on another 'Map' either (example: a 'Bing Map'). Results are displayed on a canvas capable of displaying any geospatial data layers. The Geocoding/Directions toolsets, of which the 'Google API' would be an optional paramter as woulld 'OSM API' and 'ESRI API', are a subset (but important subset) of the overall software which does many other things unrelated to geocoding/directions. At any rate, I would like to include a 'Google API' option for my Geocoding/Routing toolset.
My basic question is: Provided the use case above, can I in good faith include the Google Geocode/Directions Web APIs in my software? If the answer is 'No', are there any use cases where Google Geocode and Directions Web APIs could be used in my software?
Any response (especially from Google Maps staff!) would be greatly appreciated.
This is against their Terms of Services. Below are links and snippets from the pages. I recently deal with this issue at my job.
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/directions/
Note: the Directions API may only be used in conjunction with displaying results on a Google map; using Directions data without displaying a map for which directions data was requested is prohibited. Additionally, calculation of directions generates copyrights and warnings which must be displayed to the user in some fashion. For complete details on allowed usage, consult the Maps API Terms of Service License Restrictions.
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/
Note: the Geocoding API may only be used in conjunction with a Google map; geocoding results without displaying them on a map is prohibited. For complete details on allowed usage, consult the Maps API Terms of Service License Restrictions.
Although that question was asked back in 2013, here is an excerpt from the current Google Maps APIs FAQ, as of March 21, 2016.
Can I use Google Maps in my non-Web application?
Yes, the Google Maps APIs can now be used in desktop applications, provided that they adhere to the other restrictions of the Terms of Service. Note that in order for a desktop application to be deemed "publicly accessible", there must be a publicly accessible webpage from which it can be downloaded. See Section 9.1 of the Terms of Service for more information.
So it's "now" possible under certain conditions.
I'd like to create a web app something like Zillow.com but not in the US. I'm wondering if I can use the Google Maps API for free for that and if not, what are cheap alternatives to get me started? Thank you in advance!
You can use OpenStreetMap in commercial products. All you have to do is quote them as the source of your map data.
You can find the detailed license information here: http://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
You can use the Google Maps API for free if your maps api implementation is publicly available (free). If not, you must purchase a Google Maps API for Business License.
The following is taken from the free Google Maps API license:
(a) Free Access (No Fees). Your Maps API Implementation must be
generally accessible to users without charge and must not require a
fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access. This rule
applies to Your Content and any other content in your Maps API
Implementation, whether Your Content or the other content is in
existence now or is added later.
(b) Public Access (No Firewall). Your Maps API implementation must not
operate (i) only behind a firewall; or (ii) only on an internal
network (except during the development and testing phase); or (iii) in
a closed community (for example, through invitation-only access).
If the Google Maps licenses won't work for you, you could use OpenStreetMap.
I want to create a navigation software and I need strong maps.
How can to export Google maps data and understand them for creating new navigation software?
Is it illegal?
You cannot export Google maps data. In fact you aren't even allowed to cache them:
When using Google Maps or Earth APIs, you may not cache any imagery or
other Content. Google continually updates the imagery within Maps and
Earth; thus, caching may result in stale or even impermissible
imagery. For full details, please read section 10.3.1 of the Maps/Earth API Terms of Service.
All google maps usage must be through the appropriate google maps API which specifically forbids turn-by-turn navigation if that is where you were going with this.
As an alternative you can try openstreetmap.org and check out their API usage policy
Basically you can download the entire planet as vectorized data from various planet.osm mirrors
You might want to read this first http://maps.google.com/help/terms_maps.html:
Unless you have received prior written authorization from Google (or, as applicable, from the provider of particular Content), you must not: (a) copy, translate, modify, or make derivative works of the Content or any part thereof; (b) redistribute, sublicense, rent, publish, sell, assign, lease, market, transfer, or otherwise make the Products or Content available to third parties; (c) reverse engineer, decompile or otherwise attempt to extract the source code of the Service or any part thereof, unless this is expressly permitted or required by applicable law
In other words, you're not allowed to extract their data.
Does any have nay information on usage of google map in busines/commerceial use?
Is there a limit on how many times an individual can use the google map to view daily info, when used commercially.
or the restriction is set on the business or the ip?
I am planning to display information on google map , where other userd can view such information using google maps.
Thanks in advance
From the Terms of Service:
10.1.2 Restrictions against Commercial Use.
(a) No Fees. You must not charge users or any other third party any
fee for the use of the Maps API Implementation, the Service, or the
Content, except as permitted under Section 9.1.2 (Exceptions).
(b) No Direct Marketing. You must not print more than 5,000 copies of
sales collateral materials containing a screenshot of the Content for
purposes of commercial sales lead generation ("Direct Marketing") or
incorporate the Content as a core part of printed matter (such as
printed maps or guide books) that you redistribute for a fee. You must
contact the Google Maps API Premier sales team to obtain a direct
license if you desire to do either of the above.
I have an app for which I have extensive use of geocoding, and map plotting. I'd like to make money off it, but not pay the $10k tax since I'm a little guy.
I was thinking about offering the mapping aspects of the app for free, but charge for additional add-ons/features.
Would this be breaking the google licensing?
You can normally use the free Google Maps API if your Maps API implementation is generally accessible to users without charge. You may require users to log in to a section in your website where you would have the Maps API Implementation, but you must not require users to pay a fee. (Google Maps API Terms of Service)
Unless you have entered into a separate written agreement with Google or obtained Google's written permission, your Maps API Implementation must not:
require a fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access; or
operate only behind a firewall or only on an internal network (except during the development and testing phase).
In addition you mentioned that your application will use geocoding extensively. Server-side geocoding with the free Maps API has a limit of 15,000 request per IP address per day. (Google Maps API FAQ)
I would suggest getting in touch with Google first, describing your application. They should be able to classify if your application can work within the terms of the free Maps API or not.