Question

Does anyone know if the Google polyline algorithm has a license attached to it? I would like to use the algorithm in a different mapping solution I am developing but I’m unsure of it’s restrictions. There doesn’t appear to be any info on the algorithm description page.

Answer 1

I am not a lawyer, but here is my understanding:

1. Algorithms don’t have licenses, source code has licenses. If you write your own code then that is fine.
2. Algorithms are like mathematical truths so cannot be patented. Patent attorneys try and get around this by patenting the concept of “the algorithm implemented in software”. If the algorithm has been patented like this then you’ll need to ask a lawyer, and it will depend on where you live and your code runs.
3. This is why we should be against software patents 🙂
4. Looking at the Google page you should be fine (but I’m not a lawyer). The algorithm looks like they have designed it for others to use.