Take Screenshots of Google Maps

[notaplayer83]

Hello!!

I have a few questions about taking screenshots of the Google Maps I
load using the API v3.

1.- Is it there a way to take screen shots of the maps using Google
Maps API?
2.- Is it legal to take screenshots of the maps?
3.- Is it legal to take screenshots and put them on a pdf document
(for example)?

If I had a license (a paid one) of Google Maps I could take screen
shots and put them in PDF documents?

Thanks.
R.

[Andrew Leach]

On 12 January 2012 14:16, notaplayer83 <notapl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 1.- Is it there a way to take screen shots of the maps using Google
> Maps API?

This question is irrelevant because the answer to the next ones...

> 2.- Is it legal to take screenshots of the maps?
> 3.- Is it legal to take screenshots and put them on a pdf document
> (for example)?

...is No (to both).

> If I had a license (a paid one) of Google Maps I could take screen
> shots and put them in PDF documents?

Possibly, but I don't think that's mentioned in the Terms of Service.
You can read them for yourself at
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/terms.html

[notaplayer83]

Thanks Andrew :)

I have another question but I don't know if it'd belong to this group.

I know there's a Static Maps API where you can get a picture instead
of a Map with controls.

May I save that picture? May I put it in a PDF document (for example)?

Thanks again.
R.

On 13 ene, 03:58, Andrew Leach <andrew.leac...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Andrew Leach]

On 13 January 2012 14:06, notaplayer83 <notapl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks Andrew :)
>
> I have another question but I don't know if it'd belong to this group.
>
> I know there's a Static Maps API where you can get a picture instead
> of a Map with controls.

You don't get controls. It's static.

> May I save that picture? May I put it in a PDF document (for example)?

That's in the Terms as well, at 10.1.1(h). I think the answer to both
those questions is no.

That said, there are derogations to allow up to 5000 *printed* copies,
but that doesn't include saving the images or creating PDFs. Just hard
copy. That's in 3.1(a) of the Legal Notices (link at Term 1.2(a)(ii)).
You will obviously need to save the image to produce the hard-copy,
but the saved image can only be used for that.

If you're particularly concerned, you need to pay a lawyer. I'm not a
lawyer and this is not counsel's legal opinion.

[Joseph Elfelt]

Keep in mind that the TOS distinguishes between 'content' and 'your
content':

8.1 Definitions.
...
(b) "Content" means any content provided through the Service (whether
created by Google or its third party licensors), including map and
terrain data, photographic imagery, traffic data, places data
(including business listings), or any other content.
...
(d) "Your Content" means any content that you provide in your Maps API
Implementation, including data, images, video, or software. Your
Content does not include the Content.

I infer that Google's TOS does not bar us from taking screenshots of
"Your Content" as long as it completely covers the "Content".