[GIS] Using ArcGIS Online Base Maps without Esri Software

arcgis-onlinelegallicenseopenlayers-2

Since the end of January 2011:

"ArcGIS Online map services are
available at no cost regardless of
use." – http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline/standard-maps.html

However, the use of ArcGIS Web Mapping
APIs may require a subscription. – http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline/common-questions.html

All the basemaps available from ESRI are accessible by REST services which do not require an API. There is already a new layer type in OpenLayers that can access these services.

The Terms of Service state:

In particular, you may not (or attempt
to) (a) access Services or resources
not made available to you through a
standard web browser or Esri products;

Update – these TOS may in fact refer to the esri.com site and "services" rather than the map services themselves.

So is it legal and within the terms of service to use any of these layers in any web application such as OpenLayers or through the Google or Bing mapping APIs as these are all used in a standard web browser?

Best Answer

Your first quote says that you can use the map at no cost. The web mapping api's in my opinion are the querying, identifying, and other services that are available through api calls to a hosted mxd in the AGS. It's my opinion that if you just want to display a base map then you are fine.

i'm not a lawyer.

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