Why Google Earth cannot be open sourced

November 29th, 2006 11:19 am by BlackWhite

Gaia tried to reverse engineer Google Earth and create an open source API, but here’s what happened. BTW, the mail from Michael Jones was quite humble and encouraging.
25 November 2006, I’ve got the letter from Michael Jones, the Chief Technologist of Google Earth, Google Maps, and Google Local search, requesting to cease reverse engineering and improper usage of licensed data that Google Earth use.

Data does not belong to Google, it is licensed under certain conditions, which include unability for third parties to access raw data. Be those conditions continuously broken, Google will no longer be permitted to use the data, so not just no more Gaia, but no more Google Earth. That’s absolutely not what I want, not I hope any of you want. As I understand, for now the only possible way to have an open source Google Earth client is to convince data providers to loosen license restrictions.

For the mail from Michael Jones, go here.

Similar Posts:

Recent Posts:

4 Responses to “Why Google Earth cannot be open sourced”

  1. 1
    SiLent_Man Says:

    Yeah… Mike sent me a CC of the email :)

    Report this comment

  2. 2
    Maimawm Says:

    helai part hi “…..take down that code and refocus your work toward building an open earth viewer….” – thiam tlang hmel hlawm ee!
    misual ho pawh hian open earth viewer build chu tur chuan in focus ve ila LOL!

    Report this comment

  3. 3
    J Says:

    LOL SiLent_Man, weren’t you and Mike an item once? :D

    Report this comment

  4. 4
    viagra Says:

    viagra

    news

    Report this comment

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.