A month ago, I commented on these Ipod Subway Maps and how I thought it was a neat idea. Well, it looks like a few weeks later the site was handed legal threats for copyright infringement from many of the transit departments.
I have received a message from the New York MTA to cease and desist offering the New York City MTA Subway Map for the iPod and the iPod Nano. I am hoping to resolve this issue with their marketing department but in the meantime, as an act of good faith, I have removed the maps from the site.
If, for some reason, a licence cannot be acquired, never fear! I’ll just make up a custom set of maps. I’d rather not, as I feel the real maps will be instantly recognizable on your iPod and you won’t have to retrain your mind to acquaint yourself with yet another NYC subway map. Plus, the advantage of the official map on the iPods is that, at any time, you can check the actual map against the one on your screen for confirmation.
I guess the site owner is now working on drawing up his own maps to fit the iPod and nano, but this whole legal threat thing is pretty rediculous. The map distribution is more of a service to the community and a small targeted audience, then for profit. Lighten up people.
I wonder if the Chicago Transit Authority will follow this measure. If so, I downloaded the maps just in case.
