Microsoft Map.live

[wolfhnd]

I have held several demo classes for TopoFusion at my office and everyone asks when will it support the higher resolution maps from Microsoft.  If you could take a minute to discuss this topic I would love to be able to give them an intelligent answer.

[Krein]

Hi,

Well, the short answer is that the terms of use / copyright are not he same for Microsoft Live as Terraserver and the other servers that TopoFusion uses.

It is worth checking and reading the fine print again, but I wouldn't expect it to be any different.  Same goes with all the high resolution imagery that google {maps,earth} use.

[wolfhnd]

I work for the department of transportation perhaps we could help in requesting an exemption from Microsoft for you?

[wolfhnd]

I work for the department of transportation perhaps we could help in requesting an exemption from Microsoft for you?

[Krein]

Here is the terms of use:

http://www.microsoft.com/virtualearth/product/terms.html

The biggest issue is that TF stores map tiles locally, which is not allowed, in commercial or non-commercial applications.

Otherwise, a commercial app needs to sign an agreement with MS.    It's not clear what that entails.  We would sure be interesting in adding new map content from MS live.  We could always alter the program such that maps are not stored locally (for MS maps).  If you're willing to look into what it would entail to get an agreement, I'd sure be interested in what you find.