Thank You Mapquest ! !

Some time ago, I contacted Mapquest to obtain permission to use an Oregon Map on my ActiveRain profile page. This turned out to be a much bigger task than I anticipated. The process has taken several months but yesterday, I received my golden ticket....Yea! Mapquest has finally approved me : )

I wanted to share this with all of you because I often run on to blogs or websites that are using maps and photos. I wonder how many of the authors have taken the time to obtain necessary permission or are aware of the fines involved for copyright infringement. This is a serious matter and one that everyone in the blogsphere needs to be aware of.

To give you a better idea, I have included the email I received from Mapquest. Please, please, please....... DO NOT VIOLATE COPYRIGHT LAWS. Not only can you be prosecuted by the owner of said images, copyright infringement can get you kicked off of Active Rain.

May 30, 2007

Dear Ms. Fronabarger,

Thank you for your request for permission to include the MapQuest, Inc.map of Oregon on your Active Rain Real Estate Network website for Kelly Fronabarger - Bend River Realty.  We are pleased to approve your request, provided you agree to the conditions listed below.

Please reply to this email with such agreement to the terms by stating "We agree" or other similar wording.  This permission will be valid once we receive your reply.

MapQuest Permission:

MapQuest, Inc. on behalf of itself and its content partners (collectively, "MapQuest") grants Kelli Fronabarger (collectively, "Publisher") a non-exclusive, limited, royalty-free permission to include the MapQuest logo, marks and maps of the Oregon, more specifically, the map and statistical information located at: http://www.mapquest.com/atlas/main.adp?region=oregon and attached to this email for reference (the "Images") on the Active Rain Real Estate Network website for Kelly Fronabarger - Bend River Realty, located at: http://activerain.com/kelli123  (the"Work"), provided Publisher agrees to the following conditions:

1. This qualified permission extends only to (i) use of the Images and (ii) use of the Images in the Work. The Images may not be used for any purpose other than as described herein, without MapQuest's prior written consent.

2. MapQuest has not authorized, sponsored, endorsed, or approved the Work and is not responsible for its content. Publisher agrees that the Images shall not be used in any manner that would falsely convey sponsorship, endorsement or approval of the Work by MapQuest.

3. MapQuest represents that it has the right and authority to enter into this agreement and to grant the rights herein granted, solely with regards to the map submitted for approval.  Publisher is solely responsible for any liability arising from its use of the content in contradiction of or beyond the terms of this agreement, and Publisher agrees to defend and indemnify MapQuest from any third party claims arising from any such use by Publisher.

4. Publisher shall not modify or alter the Images in any manner unless approved in advance by MapQuest.  The MapQuest logo and all copyright attribution provided in the map art must be retained by Publisher. 

5. Publisher shall not use or display the Images or any MapQuest trademark, logo, or trade name in conjunction with any offensive material, in a derogatory manner, or in any manner not suitable for the intended audience.

6. The following attribution, or similar, shall be included in an appropriate location in the Work: MapQuest and the MapQuest logo are registered trademarks of MapQuest, Inc.  Map content (c) 2007 by MapQuest, Inc.  Used with permission."

Please let me know by return email if Publisher agrees to the above.

We appreciate your interest in MapQuest.

Regards,

Amanda Smith

MapQuest Permission Team

As you can see, permission and use are taken very seriously by MapQuest and many others. It is better to ask and be told "no" than to take a chance and be caught. Anyone who thinks it's not a big deal should talk to Lenn Harley. Taking the time to do this right benefits everyone. I am extremely proud of my profile page and feel that this addition of information makes it even better for my clients.