Scenery using sat images from Google

[GEKtheReaper 364]

Dear avsim Admins,

I currently try to find out if I'm allowed to upload freeware sceneries containing real sat images provided by Google. I didn't exactly find what I was looking for...

Acc. to Google's term of use, you are allowed to use those images for non commercial but educational content.

Since I'm not charging anything for the generated sceneries and P3D is also an educational simming platform, I must ask if somehow brake the rules if I share those sceneries.

 

Thank you.

[WilliamS 12]

Because you're not charging anything, then no. It's not commercial use - you're not breaking any rules. Also, in my opinion, google satellite images are not the best choice for photorealistic scenery. In my opinion, the resolution isn't really high enough for a nice, high definition image. However, from up in the air this would look OK. Good luck, and be sure to post a link when you're finished!

Will

[charliearon 3,024]

On 4/16/2019 at 4:16 AM, GEKtheReaper said:

Dear avsim Admins,

I currently try to find out if I'm allowed to upload freeware sceneries containing real sat images provided by Google. I didn't exactly find what I was looking for...

Acc. to Google's term of use, you are allowed to use those images for non commercial but educational content.

Since I'm not charging anything for the generated sceneries and P3D is also an educational simming platform, I must ask if somehow brake the rules if I share those sceneries.

 

Thank you.

https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2013/08/19/terms-of-use-google-maps-earth/

[pmb 5,137]

On the other hand there is the following statement from the Bing Maps Licensing manager when asked by an AeroflyFS user:

https://www.aerofly.com/community/forum/index.php?thread/13476-bing-satellite-imagery/&postID=67248&highlight=bing#post67248

I am not sure if this reliable enough, but there might be some possibilities beyond what's usually thought.

Kind regards, Michael

[Jim Young 2,356]

I am not going to conduct any major research into things like this.  If the item is copyrighted and/or the intellectual product of someone else it cannot be uploaded to AVSIM.  We occasionally get what I call "nastygrams" from DMCA - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act.  They frequently search the Internet looking for copyright violations.  Our biggest violations have been Boeing FCOM's uploaded to AVSIM.  We immediately remove the offending material and advise them of our action.  They basically blame us and not the person who committed the "crime".  So we take violations of copyrights very seriously.  If ever in doubt, don't do it.  AVSIM does not have a team of lawyers to handle any major lawsuits but, if we are sued and told to pay the fine, I am sure we would hire a lawyer to go after the offender who uploaded the item that was in violation.

Best regards,

Jim

[GEKtheReaper 364]

Thank you @Jim Young @pmb @charliearon and @WilliamS.

I must say I've read (and tried to understand) all the links. I also read Google's term of use. Quite frankly, in some places you find (in short): Use our images, mention the source, don't sell them and you'll be fine. Other places tell: Use them BUT without even the slightest alteration....(which in case I would be doing a 4 season scenery, would mean altering the image....)

This whole thing is a mess but since AVSIM will not upload such files, the point has been made and any other research will bring nothing. It's a pitty......