http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/maps-api-signup.html 5.4 says you can use it for commercial purpose
On Nov 1, 5:14 pm, davemac <davemac...@gmail.com> wrote: > I've been reading the Terms of Service for the Google APIs, both Maps > and AJAX APIs. I have questions regarding future consequences of using > these APIs in mobile apps that get distributed, hopefully, to many > thousands or millions of devices. > > Both say that the services must be available for free, so I'm assuming > that means you cannot charge a fee for an Android app that uses these > services, unless you arrange something special with Google. Which > appears to be Google Maps API Premier, an advanced service that uses a > page-view-counter-based calculation to determine charges, and is not > cheap. Which pretty much says you'd need to charge a subscription fee > if you're going to charge at all. If you don't charge now and suddenly > get hit with a bill from Google, your free app must remain free > (according to Android Terms) so you're out of luck? I suppose it might > be possible to include a Terms of Service with the application that > says the user assumes all responsibility for any charges related to > use of the Google APIs, but that doesn't seem likely to succeed. I > think it would be difficult to manage. I also suppose that you could > ask Google to block requests that use your API key until you can get a > new version out with a fee attached. > > Google also says they could charge for the use of the API in the > future. This is stated specifically in the AJAX APIs doc, and > indirectly in the Maps doc (Google can change the terms at any time). > Since the API key that is used when calling APIs belongs to the > Android developer, that tells me we could potentially be on the hook > for Google charges. The Terms say that we can decide to stop using the > APIs. Which is fairly easy when you're running a web site, much > different when your application is deployed to thousands or millions > of devices. Especially if you've distributed the application for free, > and with an expiration date as required of later than October 22, > 2033. > > I'm nervous now about using Google APIs in Android apps and wondered > if anyone else has thought about this. Should Google APIs be avoided? > At least until developers have some legal protection? > > - dave -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to android-developers@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
