A few questions about TOS and Usage Requirements

[adam]

Hi,

I am exploring the places rest api.  A few questions:

[1] I saw on the usage requirements that:  "You shall display to End Users the Licensed Content that CityGrid delivers to You in response to Your API query, in full, as is, without modification. The sole exception to the foregoing is that You may choose not to display the CityGrid® ad delivered by CityGrid."  I am a little confused about what this means?  Clearly we have to perform some type of modification because the result is simply a xml or json.  Does this mean that we have to display all the information even if it is not relevant (ie the lat and lng position, for exmpale), or does it mean that IF we display a particular element, that element must not be modified (ie we can't change the name of a place or the location to something else).

[2] Almost the same question: It seems that there are strict requirements for what must be displayed for Places that Pay, but I do not see strict requirements for a non-Pay query.   What exactly must be displayed in the search results of a non-Pay?    May we choose what are relevant elements to display for our app?

[3] It also states:  "The Publisher Application must properly display any and all attribution and source links associated with any Licensed Content (including without limitation Ads) as returned by the APIs."  In my intial tests using the rest api to search, I did not receive any adds or anything in the xml that was clearly  marked as an advertsitment.  Am I missing something here? Might an advertisement come on occasion but not always?

[4] It states:  "merge, compile, cleanse, validate, de-dupe, combine, integrate or otherwise incorporate any Licensed Content with data obtained from a third party."  Can we not merge the search results and data with our own content before displaying?  If not, there does not seem to be much of a point for a developer api, so I must be missing something here.

Thanks,
-Adam

[Kin Lane - CityGrid]

These questions were answered, the email thread must not have made it back here.

Questions in line below:

[1] I saw on the usage requirements that:  "You shall display to End Users the Licensed Content that CityGrid delivers to You in response to Your API query, in full, as is, without modification. The sole exception to the foregoing is that You may choose not to display the CityGrid® ad delivered by CityGrid."  I am a little confused about what this means?  Clearly we have to perform some type of modification because theresult is simply a xml or json.  Does this mean that we have to display all the information even if it is not relevant (ie the lat and lng position, for exmpale), or does it mean that IF we display a particular element, that element must not be modified (ie we can't change the name of a place or the location to something else).

KL - I think what you are addressing is more transformation than modification.  Of course you can render the results to your display from XML / JSON.  I believe the goal is to leave the results as they are returned.  Don't change the order, rewrite pieces of the data.   Of course you can display the pieces of information as it suits your UI.   

[2] Almost the same question: It seems that there are strict requirements for what must be displayed for Places that Pay, but I do not see strict requirements for a non-Pay query.   What exactly must be displayed in the search results of a non-Pay?    May we choose what are relevant elements to display for our app?

KL - You can find a complete list of what is needed for a minimal viable billable implementation under section 3.6 Places that Pay.  They are pretty basic requirements to make sure our merchants interests are protected.  You may choose what elements are relevant to your app, but if you wish to participate in Places that Pay, you need to meet the minimum requirements.

 

[3] It also states:  "The Publisher Application must properly display any and all attribution and source links associated with any Licensed Content (including without limitation Ads) as returned by the APIs."  In my intial tests using the rest api to search, I did not receive any adds or anything in the xml that was clearly  marked as an advertsitment.  Am I missing something here? Might an advertisement come onoccasion but not always? 

KL -  This refers to merchant messages, attribution returned with data which will include links.  Which will vary from merchant to merchant.  This is not stating you will receive ads via the places search.  

[4] It states:  "merge, compile, cleanse, validate, de-dupe, combine, integrate or otherwise incorporate any Licensed Content with data obtained from a third party."  Can we not merge the search results and data with our own content before displaying?  If not, there does not seem to be much of a point for a developer api, so I must be missing something here.

KL - You are than welcome to display CityGrid data alongside your own.   This element of prohibited actions are meant to deter pulling thedata and executing those actions within your database.  Not for display.  

I really recommend implementing CityGrid places, reviews, offers and advertising into your app and submitting for review by our team if you are looking to become billable, and not dwelling over misconceptions over the legaleze in the Usage Requirements and TOS.  I think you'll find its not that restrictive and that they are there to just ensure our merchants get what they need, and that really works in conjunction with what your trying to deliver with your app.  

Let me know how I can help further.

Kin Lane

On Friday, May 4, 2012 8:26:03 AM UTC-7, PG wrote:

I have the same questions.  Any luck?