Do commercial (paid) iPhone apps pay a Google Maps license?

Question

I know this happens with commercial websites, so I was wondering if commercial iPhone apps that use MapKit (especially those that generate a lot of traffic) should get some kind of license for Google Maps.

My best guess is no, but just ask if someone knows better. In addition, I would suggest that Google receives licensing fees from mobile operators, as some carriers charge additional fees for “maps and navigation”.

Answer 1

Looking at the Google Terms of Service, it doesn't seem like you have to pay Google to use MapKit using commercial applications.

Google Maps Terms of Service (especially for iPhone) http://code.google.com/apis/maps/iphone/terms.html

However, there are important restrictions, for example, you cannot charge a user for using the card (which most likely means that your application is only a locator application, you cannot charge for it).

Answer 2

I believe the key part from TOS is 9.1:

... Implementation of the API Maps cannot charge an additional fee only for the Service.

Answer 3

According to the FAQ for Google Maps

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/iphone/terms.html

7.2 Service License. Google grants you a personal, worldwide, licensed, non-assignable and non-exclusive license to use the Service provided by Google in the manner permitted by the Terms.

7.3 Content License. Google grants you a personal, worldwide, free, non-assignable and non-exclusive license to access, use, publicly display and publicly display Content in the implementation of the Maps API, since the Content is provided in the Service and in a manner permitted by the Terms. In particular, you understand the following:

Answer 4

Maps API API:

http://code.google.com/apis/maps/terms.html

will help. Basically, they say that they can decide to restrict or suppress your API requests at any time they wish. You receive a personal, worldwide, licensed, non-transferable and non-exclusive license.

It can be used for both personal and commercial use, except that if it is used by the US government department, there is a separate ToS for this.

In essence, you should use what you want, but their ToS gives them the legal right to kick you out or change the conditions at any time. Although I have not heard about what is really happening.

Answer 5

You are not allowed to use the free Google Maps API on iPhone if the application is being sold, if you are not using Android in the Google store. See 9.1.2 Exceptions: https://developers.google.com/maps/terms

(Free access) does not apply if your implementation of the Maps API is used in a mobile application that is sold for a fee through an online store and downloaded to a mobile device that can access the online store.

In most cases, the commercial Maps Api license is too expensive. However, using the Apple Map Kit will switch you to AppleMaps, and this should be free.