Am I allowed to integrate Google Maps into an IPhone app that is not free?

Question

Hello

I am new to IPhone development. In my application I would like to integrate maps. I would like a way of turning a UK postcode into a position on a map. I was going to use Mapview, but I have seen a couple of posts on the internet about not being allowed to use MapVIew for chargeable apps something to do with Google liceense. I was wondering if someone on here could confirm please? Is there any functionality I can add to the program to avoid this clause? I dont really understand much about these licenses

I am going to be charging for my app not much prob 99p. If it is def not possible to use MapView inside a chargeable app can someone suggest an alternative please?

I really wanted to use MapView because as it is essentially a wrapper for Google Maps it makes it perfect because Google already have the UK postcode database

I think an alternative could be to load google maps directly through the app but this is not a good option as the user would then have to enter the postcodes manually

Cheers

Paul

Answer 1

I'd take a gander over at Google Map's Terms of Service:

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

Answer 2

Your service must be freely accessible to end users. To use Google mapping technology in other types of applications, please use Google Maps API Premier. See this FAQ for more information.

IANAL but it doesn't seem like it.

EDIT: If you're curious Premier begins at $10K/year and they don't negotiate contracts that small so it's take it or leave it. (At least that was the policy when we got ours a year ago)

Answer 3

No

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

9.1 Free, Public Accessibility to Your Maps API Implementation. Your Maps API Implementation must be generally accessible to users without charge. You may require users to log in to your Maps API Implementation if you do not require users to pay a fee. Unless you have entered into a separate written agreement with Google or obtained Google's written permission, your Maps API Implementation must not:

(a) require a fee-based subscription or other fee-based restricted access; or (b) operate only behind a firewall or only on an internal network (except during the development and testing phase).

Answer 4

You absolutely can (and I do) use MapKit in paid iPhone apps.

You can't charge users extra for access to MapKit functionality (using a premium model or in app purchases).