LoadWB's Journal: Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps

Mobile GMaps (http://mgmaps.com) is a free Java application for Java-enabled phones, like my Sony Ericsson K790a, which turns your phone into a GPS-enabled mobile mapping system, complete with on-line tracking, custom mapping, and a slew of other features continually being added.

Even though this program has been mature much longer than Google's own Java phone-based mapping program, which also does not include the heavily requested GPS functionality, Google has sent the author what is essentially a C&D email. The email apparently claims that MGMaps is a dirivative work, as this clause from the Google Maps for Mobile (http://google.com/gmm) terms of service is invoked.

Personally, I like MGMaps better than Google Maps for Mobile, if only for the GPS functionality alone, although it does provide many more features than GMM. I have always liked Google Maps over Yahoo! or MSN maps, but alas it is time to take up something new.

I think this is crap, and goes against the normally open spirit of Google, and the Google Maps API. I only found out about it tonight as I was driving home and decided to check for updates. I read in the release blurb about the new version removing support for Google Maps.

Read more about it at the MGMaps news page.

"Google requests removal of Google Maps support from MGMaps (July 31st, 2007)"
http://www.mgmaps.com/news.php?item=136