Can I use images from SUPro 8 containing GE data?
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I asked this question on the official Google Sketchup forum, but no answer as yet. I am a consultant landscape architect. I am aware that I cannot use images generated from Google Earth or Maps in professional reports unless I purchase (say) Google Earth Pro.
If I purchase SUPro 8 (or rather, upgrade from my current SU Pro 7), then import terrain/aerial photography using 'add location', does the SU Pro 8 licence allow me to commercially use say, a perspective view of a building with surrounding terrain/aerial photography (for example, in a report or drawing for a client)? I'm happy to provide attribution if that's all that is required. I have been around the SU and GE license pages several times and still can't find a clear answer.
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Hi Bill,
Indeed you will never find a clear answer and I am afraid (though not "sure") that even Google employees we regularly (or occasionally) get in tough on the several forums will not (be allowed to?) answer any legal questions.
Now I quickly ran through a bunch of Terms of services (they seem to be obscured deliberately and you can read at least three that would imply here) but I could not find the one I read the other day and which said you can use GE screenshots (2d exports from SU I guess) just make sure to keep the attribution (and never crop the bottom lines off the imported imagery).
This is not what Google makes the big money from so it is highly unlikely that they will start chasing a small fish like you or me.
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Gaieus
Thank you for the response. I guess if they can't provide clear terms or a clear answer, it is fair enough to use it. Easy access to GE/M terrain and colour imagery is at least 50% of Google's argument for upgrading from SUPro7 to SUPro8, so it does make sense that, as a "pro-user", you can actually use it.
As for the attribution, no problem to add it to any images produced. Of course there is no guarantee that the Google strap line on the bottom of an imported image, will actually make it into any given perspective view - it might be over the hill or behind the camera!
Thanks again, and for your many and helpful responses on this forum.
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You know I am (also) a lawyer and have written a couple of contracts myself (the last one about some $10,000 about two weeks ago) but often I cannot wrap my head around these Google terms (they are also contracts between them and you).
In my opinion, what is not explicitly forbidden (by a contract OR by a law behind it) is allowed. They are careful enough to cover their interests so if they do not make it clear what we should not do, we can do it.
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