It’s mainly supplying Google with map data, not you, not your companies, not your schools, not your charities. You cannot print a map of the streets you and your friends make using map maker, and put them in a book or leaflet, or city guide. OK, you will be able to SEE the streets on Google’s maps on the internet. You cannot share those streets you made with anyone else. You cannot share the lines your drawn with individuals, your town, government or charity of your choice, you cannot sell those lines you drew. Lawyers of Pakistan, look at the terms of use, and the licence for Map Maker.

It’s like singing in a music band, that has a very very popular song. Although you don’t have to pay to sing in it you have to spend quite a lot of your time. But, in return, you don’t get any of the music on paper to take with you, you cannot take home the instruments, you cannot get to sing the same song in another band downtown, or on the street, or in another country. All you get is the ability to hear the song you sang on the radio.

Or like writing about your specialist subject to Wikipedia, and not being allowed to share what you wrote with anyone, or anywhere, and you are stuck with Wikipedia claiming ownership of your work, and yourself being liable if it’s wrong, and denied other users the ability to select and copy the text on that page. etc. etc.

i guess we really do need these maps.

cheers, Neruda.