How To Google Google Images The Right Way, According To Google
Socorro Island - Google Earth Southern Detail (1-25,000)
This is Google'ing a Google image the right way. You can use an image, for non-commercial purposes, as long as you include the trademarks found on the image.
Socorro Island - GE/DG Image and Marplot Ocean Layer with Grid (1:100,000)
This looks like I am Google'ing a Google image the right way, but it probably isn't. I have modified GE/DG's image by superimposing my EVS Ocean Mask layer and adding the image trademarks manually. Although my purpose is non-commercial, I am messing with the base image. Again, I believe this is probably not a proper Google'ing of a Google image, even though I superimposed the requisite trademarks.
Piuli Island PP - Landsat and GE Images (1:7,812)
Piuli Island PP - Marplot Map (1:7,812)
Even though the GE/DG image is stretched and twisted, the trademarks are included making this image a good Google. However, the map is probably not a good Google. The shoreline along with reef and vegetation layers were created from the GE/DG image. Consequently, the map is derived from the GE/DG image and should be credited. I should include text that credits my map sources and then I think my non-commercial product will be properly Googled.
Buyukada - Landsat Image ETM+ 2000
Buyukada - GE/DG Image with Digitized Path
EVS (Enhanced Vector Shorelines) are created from Landsat ETM+ 2000 imagery. The first image is a very tight zoom of the town of Buyukada on the island with the same name (located outside of Istanbul, Turkey). I could create decent vector shorelines from the Landsat image, however, GE/DG's image at 1 or 2-meter resolution is a major improvement over the Landsat imagery. To create a path, as I did on the GE/DG image, is good Google'ing. To take that path, translate the KML file into an ARC Ungenerate map file and load it into Marplot to create a map is probably not good Google'ing. That path, now a GEVS (Google Earth Vector Shoreline) shoreline, is not properly credited. I should add text that identifies the vector sources as a GE/DG image. That would be proper Google'ing
Not fully appreciating the ramifications of the conversation, I spoke with a Google service rep (I do not have his name) during this past summer (I do not know the specific date). He said, "Make sure you include the trademarks when you download and post the GE/DG images." I asked about the proper Google treatment for maps created from GE/DG images and he said, "Aaah? Aaah? What do you mean "map"?" I explained my process of creating maps from GE/DG images and that these non-commercial products were posted on my blog for the world to view and download. He said, "Sounds okay to me! Any other questions?" The exchange did not exactly instill confidence in me as to my proper Google'ing of GE/DG derived vector map files.
The first keyword you must remember when you Google the GE/DG images is "trademark". It has to be on the image. The second keyword is "non-commercial". If you are trying to make a buck off of their images, you are going to need their, both GE and DG's, approval and it will cost. If you are posting images, like me - life is swell and go for it.
If you are a Google person in the know and you need to correct, add info or give me "kudos" for a job well done, go for it.
P.S. - I have read the letter from Michael Jones, the Chief Map Dude of Google Earth. I believe everything that I have stated above is in line with both the content and spirit of his correspondence.
Enjoy!
Labels: Digital Globe, Global Mapper, Google Earth, Landsat, map
