[Freegis-list] Gaia project interruped by Google

[Gary Watry]

Why don't you (GAIA) use World Wind data from NASA which is free and has 
no limitations.



Nils Faerber wrote:
> Well, IANAL but...
> This license only covers the data itself, not the software.
> What Gaia did was to distribute *software* to get the data, not the data
> itself. And since reverse engeneering is legal in many countries, like
> Germany where I live, I think that the Gaia software itself is legally
> absolutely fine - if no original sourcecode from Google Earth is used in
> it (which I doubt but cannot check anymore :(
>
> But there is the moral side effect of it.
> The Google people are for sure right that projects like Gaia would
> endanger their product or rather the way they currently exploit it.
>
> For the time being and Google Earth still beeing a free service this is
> a problem and I also think it is a wise decision to retract Gaia source
> - for now.
>
> But noone guarantees that Google Earth continues to be a free service.
> What if it would be no more?
>
> I am personally unsure which side I am on.
>
> On the one hand I have pityful understsnading for Google Earth's
> position. They really might get into trouble with the data providers
> (thouh I doubt this a little).
> On the other hand who the heck they think they are to forbid someone to
> talk about his/her research results (which this retract bid actually
> is)? In the sense of free software and free knowledge flow this is an
> absolute no-no.
>
> So what do we want?
> The luxury of being able to browse the world with a proprietory client
> software we have no control over using a service that might one day
> start to cost money?
> Or do we want to promote free software and free knowledge about it?
>
> If Google has such a strict licensing with the data providers they could
> have done a better job in hiding the protocol, e.g. crypting it... but
> again I cannot even check taht anymore :(
>
>
> My 0,05€...
> Cheers
>   nils
>
>
> Cristiano Giovando schrieb:
>   
>> On 11/26/06, Luis W. Sevilla <cresques at gmail.com> wrote:
>>     
>>> What's the clause of Google's Terms of Service gaia was not respecting?
>>> I've read it twice, and says anything against using it.
>>>
>>>       
>> It seems pretty clear....
>>
>> 3.    PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
>> (a) You are only licensing rights to use the Software and the geographical
>> information available to be viewed using the Software. The Software, in
>> whole
>> and in part and all copies thereof, are and will remain the sole and
>> exclusive
>> property of Google. Further, you do not receive any, and Google and/or its
>> licensors (if any) retain all, ownership rights in the geographic
>> information
>> displayed using the Software. The geographic information is copyrighted and
>> may not be copied, even if modified or merged with other data or software.
>> Your use and access of the geographical information may be subject to
>> further
>> license requirements or obligations.
>>
>>
>> BTW, see the update http://gaia.serezhkin.com/
>>
>>
>> -C
>>
>>     
>
>   
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Gary L. Watry
GIS Coordinator
Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies
FSU / COAPS
Johnson Building, RM 231
2035 East Paul Dirac Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2840

Phone (850) 645-7457

E-Mail: watry at coaps.fsu.edu