UPDATE: I got a call from someone at terra IMS this afternoon, trying to see exactly what I might be trying to say, if I was being malicious, or what, if anything I had specific trouble with in regards to the product, service or terms. I had to admit that the post was sprinkled with some negativity, but that It was basically a product of becoming depressed through the realization that we live in a situation where these kinds of legal terms seem necessary, and that such innocent products need to guard themselves against such heavy liabilities. Getting access to the lists of banned people really bummed me out.
Anyway, the rep was a nice guy, and I respect people who will just call you up like that. So, I'm doing a little edit of the post.
terra IMS has a curious little tool called the mapicons Dynamic Generator
You choose from an assortment of options: shape, color, fill design, then spit out some cute icon packs. You can then use the icons for 10 years or until January 1, 2020, (whichever is shorter). I guess it's hard to imagine that these little icons will still be in vogue a decade from now, but it seems bizarre to have such a far-off limitation in the license agreement.
You must also host an attribution .gif on the site for "search engine linkbacks" and "protection of intellectual property".
Reading through the license agreement I found this:
the Icons may not be used, exported or re-exported (i) in or into (or to a national or resident of) any United States embargoed countries (ii) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Department of Commerce Denied Person's List or Entity List.
I was curious about these 'lists' so, here, I present, FYI:
As of September 2006, the following countries are subject to U.S. embargo or restrictive trade sanctions:
- Cuba
- Iran
- Iraq*
- North Korea (Democratic Republic of Korea)
- Sudan
- Syria
This list is subject to change. For the most current information on U.S. embargoed and sanctioned countries, see the U.S. Export Administration Regulations and Treasury Department regulations.
*The comprehensive embargo on Iraq has been lifted. However, export licenses continue to be required for certain products.
see the list of 'List of Specially Designated Nationals (blocked)' , and the The Denied Persons List.There is also an "Unverified List"
Get more info on these lists from:
Oh Yeah, and of course:
THE ICONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE IN THE OPERATION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES, AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION OR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES OR ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT OR SOFTWARE IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF THE ICONS COULD LEAD TO DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY LOSS OR DAMAGE, OR DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
Wow. That's a lot of detective work to review those 'cute little icons.' It would be GREAT if Platial users had access to that application. The license requirements seem like boilerplate legalese drafted by some IP lawyer. I checked out the subscription terms: $20 bucks a year...so you don't buy a latte once a month.
Posted by: GMapper | November 16, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Yes GMapper, it would be very cool to have something like this built into Platial's Map Creation tool. I was, obviously, so intrigued by the lists of banned nations and nationals, that I didn't quite finish reading the terms to see if it allows us to build up the whole library of icons, then offer them in a gallery to Platial Map Makers. There is of course nothing stopping someone from using this in conjunction with a Platial MapKit. In fact, they really are quite nice looking icons.
Posted by: jason wilson | November 16, 2006 at 02:23 PM
It's funny that someone who runs a company such as this would be so righteously indignant about that verbiage. That stuff is standard in just about EVERY contract written in the United States. Frankly, I'm surprised at your naivete.
Posted by: Kiltboy | November 17, 2006 at 01:53 PM