ArcGIS Explorer 2 KML

[DonCopple]

I created an add-in that can take the clipboard and georeference it to a kml document for viewing in Google Earth.  It doesn't remove the ESRI label, etc.  Is it legal to post that add-in?  I had someone say they thought it was against the terms of the ArcExplorer SDK.  I don't think so because I can just copy it from the built in clipboard tool and align it.  I asked ESRI, but haven't gotten an answer back yet.  Anyone else know.  I'll repost it in tools when I know I won't get into trouble.

[MichaelBranscomb]

Unfortunately I suspect there won't be a clear answer here one way or the other. It is likely to depend on what Basemap / ArcGIS Online / other services data you have in your map and the various terms of use for each of those individual layers/services. The terms of use for ArcGIS content can be found here: http://www.esri.com/legal/licensing/termsofuse.html. If you're happy your Add-Ins complies with those terms of use (regarding Bing Basemaps, ArcGIS Online, etc) then you could post the Add-In with a warning to users that they should check the terms of use of any map content prior to exporting to KML. Ultimately it's just a georeferenced image but some data companies are surprisingly concerned about screen-scraping and vectorisation and it could easily break their terms and conditions.

I hope that gives you some guidance.

Regards

Mike

[MichaelBranscomb]

Further to my previous post please see this FAQ:

http://arcgisonline.esri.com/help/help_Right.htm#CSHID=terms%2Fscreenshots.htm%23|StartTopic=content...

For screenshots of ArcGIS Online content, use the following guidelines:

1.Always include the credits in the screenshot. The attribution should be on or near the map or image. NOTE: If the credits note that the content is from ESRI and/or Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth), see the guidelines regarding ESRI/content and/or Bing Maps content below.

2.Check the Access and Use constraints field of the item properties to see if you can reproduce the content as an image and what attribution is required.
ESRI content and/or Bing Maps content
Screenshot use of ESRI content and/or Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft® Virtual Earth) content is by ESRI written permission only. Please fill out the Copyright Information or Permissions form for permission.

The exception is that you may include screenshots from ArcGIS in printed or digital reports and Powerpoint presentations for colleagues, subsidiaries, and customers, where the ArcGIS output comprises less than ten percent (10%) of the total printed or digital report or less than ten percent of a Powerpoint presentation. Your customers may only use the screenshots from ArcGIS received from you for internal purposes. You may not alter the screenshot in any way except to resize the screenshot. Your use of the screenshot(s) may not be obscene or pornographic, and you may not be disparaging, defamatory, or libelous to ESRI or Microsoft®, or any ESRI or Microsoft products, or any other person or entity. You may not directly or indirectly imply ESRI or Microsoft sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of your product or service. You must also follow all of the other requirements related to screenshots set forth herein. Full, complete, stand-alone maps created from ESRI content and/or Bing Maps content cannot be resold, sublicensed, or otherwise transferred without prior, written permission of ESRI.

You must faithfully reproduce any notes on the map in addition to the map. This means you must include any copyright attribution notices, logos, or other notes included on the map. To be in compliance, the screenshot should include the entire map within an application, but you do not need to include any of the application frames, toolbars, or table of contents. When using ArcGIS Explorer, you must include both the ESRI copyright notice and the "Featuring" box. When using Bing Maps, you must include both the Bing Maps Logo and the copyright notice(s).

NOTE: In ArcGIS Explorer, use the Copy to Clipboard command to copy (then paste) an image that includes all the credits. For more information, see Copy to Clipboard in ArcGIS Explorer Help.

Regards

Mike

[DonCopple]

I have included language from ESRI regarding reproducing thier imagery, as well as a disclaimer reguarding the use of non-esri imagery that may be copyrighted information.  This tool is mainly for the use of a users own raster data that they would like to view or share using GE, or other tools that read KML.  While that does not stop someone from using ESRI imagery, it contains the original ESRI copyright infomation seen in ArcGIS Explorer, so does not remove that copyright information.  This label remains even with the users raster data and will identify that the data was derived using this tool.  I have posted it, so hopefully everything is A.O.K.

Thanks for the replys, let me know what you think of the tool.  Follow the instructions, or it will not work correctly.