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Legality of using tile servers in freeware projects

S

Skittles

Banned
:wavey:

Does anyone know the legality of using tiles from tile servers (e.g. google, virtual earth...) in freeware photoscenery projects? The must be illegal in payware projects, but since I would be getting no financial (or other) reward from their use, can I legally use them? Thanks.
 
I don't think so. ANY use other than for pure personal is prohibited by general copyright laws.
 
It wouldn't surprise me if you're right.

I suppose 99% of freeware photoscenery out there is illegal by definition. I'm not sure google/virtual earth etc would chase up on it, but that doesn't matter.
 
Realistically, where would anyone get photoscenery for freeware projects? I don't know of any free source other than the ones mentioned (Virtual Earth, Google, Yahoo Maps), there's the USGS Seamless server which is really no better than the other three. I'm aware of, though have no knowledge of several places where you can secure photoimagery for a fee.

I don't know about you, but if I'm doing a freeware project, I ain't payin' for anything. I can only speak for myself of course, but if I did a freeware project that utilized satellite imagery, then it's a good bet it came from one of the three servers available through SBuilderX.:salute:
 
Skittles said:
It wouldn't surprise me if you're right.

I suppose 99% of freeware photoscenery out there is illegal by definition. I'm not sure google/virtual earth etc would chase up on it, but that doesn't matter.
Click to expand...


I think you are mistaken about this. My photoscenery is based on government sources, typically they allow use as long as credit is given in the documentation. Eg, for MacDill AFB the Florida SWFMWD has extensive coverage @ 1.5ft resolution.

scott s.
.
 
I'm sure no payware uses any of the sat provider's imagery, wink, wink. But that's not for me to worry about. I just hate seeing people make $$$ off of somethings other's, like myself wouldn't do.

Google, Virtual Earth aka Bing and the likes don't do imagery, it comes from companies that do the work and license it to those mentioned. The vast majority of the imagery work is for a government entity, be it federal or state. So the imagery is out there and some of it easy to find. Some is like finding the needle in a haystack.

So when I release a freeware product who will be able to tell me if I downloaded from Bing or USDA or USGS? Google has their watermarks, so it would be difficult for someone to deny the source.

The payware I mentioned above? It's not available through a government source. I know, I've asked those in the know. Oh well...
 
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