If you are a licensee of Google Maps and/or Google Earth and wish to use our product(s) in marketing and promotional materials, books, journals, online video streaming, playbacks, labels, packaging or various commercial products, or in any other media, please follow the guidelines in the Google Maps Terms of Use, Google Maps API Terms of Use, and Google Earth End User License – each of these terms of service is an agreement between you and Google about how you may make use of the product, including the content (such as imagery, maps, and local search results) presented in it.

In many cases, as long as you're not violating Google's terms of service, the concept of 'fair use' applies. This content is owned either by Google or its licensors. In certain circumstances, Google may be able to grant you a further license to use the content in a manner not covered by 'fair use' and not described in the terms of service. These guidelines contain further descriptions of permissions relating to the use of content outside of Google Maps, the Google Maps API and Google Earth.

All uses of Google Maps and Google Earth must provide attribution to Google and our content providers similar to what is shown to the users of our products today. You may not modify, minimize or obstruct copyright attribution text or the Google logo by any means. The attribution text must be legible and must use a font size of 6 points or greater. If for some reason this cannot be done in a screen shot, separate attribution text must be provided in a reasonably apparent location with special permission.

Permitted - Screenshot examples with attribution

Not Permitted - Screenshot example with no attribution [view larger image]

All uses of Google Maps and Google Earth require copyright attribution, as illustrated in the examples above.

For your website
We provide Google mapping technology for web developers to add dynamic content on their website. If you are interested in learning more about developing your own mashup, feel free to refer to the Google Maps API or Google Earth API. Note that the Google Maps and Google Earth API can be used for any site that is accessible to consumers and end users without charge. If you want to create a mashup without using JavaScript, we recommend using the Static Maps API which can also be used for printing. If you are a business owner or a developer interested in higher-volume use of the Google Maps API that requires a fee, please refer to Google Maps API Premier for more information.

Internet use
You may use Google Maps and Google Earth content including photographic imagery for internet displays, video streaming, playbacks, or even embed screenshots on your website.

Print use
You may use Google Maps and Google Earth content including photographic imagery in brochures, marketing collateral, packaging, trade show displays/banners, newspapers, academic publications, journals, and books. If you wish to print screen shots for direct marketing purposes that exceed a quantity of 5,000 copies, you must obtain special permission from Google. Incorporating the Licensed Content as a core part of printed matter (such as street-level printed maps of entire cities or guide books) that you distribute for a fee is not allowed without permission from Google.

Broadcast use
Please retain copyright attribution as illustrated in the examples above if you're using Google Maps or Google Earth for one time use in a TV program. If you intend to use Google Maps or Google Earth in a film or broadcast on TV for an unlimited number of times over a period of one year or more, you must obtain special approval from us. If you want to produce movies, please subscribe to Google Earth Pro which allows you to record movies directly from your client.

Press use
Please note that any editorial use of Google Maps and Google Earth does not require our explicit brand permission. We only request that you provide attribution as shown in the example illustrations. For additional press inquiries, please contact press@google.com.

Educational use
You may use Google Maps and Google Earth in your classroom, museum, research, or academic (non-textbook) publication provided you adhere to all terms of service. For information on how to use Google Maps and Google Earth in your classroom materials, please visit Geo Education.

Non-profit use
You may use Google Maps and Google Earth for your non-profit media campaigns provided you adhere to all terms of service. For more information about using Google Maps and Google Earth to spread awareness about your cause, please visit Google Earth Outreach. If you would like to apply for a Pro grant that allows you to record movies directly from your Earth client, please apply on our Pro grants program page. If you are already a recipient of Google Earth Pro grant and intend to use Google Earth media in your website, please fill out the Geo Permissions form.

I want to print locations of our businesses on Google Maps for clients. What are the restrictions?
You may print a map of your business location as long as you do not distribute imagery of an entire city with street level detail for a fee. Please refer to print use for additional guidelines.

I am a real estate agent. Can I use Google Maps in my property flier for clients?
You may print a map of the property you're representing for the benefit of providing location information to users as long as you're not printing street-level print maps of entire cities or guide books that you distribute for a fee. Please refer to print use for additional guidelines.

Can I embed a static map in my website?
Yes, as long as you comply with the Google Maps Terms of Service. You may embed a map on your website by copying the URL from “link to this page” feature on any map view in Google Maps. Alternatively, you can use the Static Maps API which can also be used for printing. If you wish to create your own maps mashup using JavaScript or Flash, please visit Google Maps API for more information.

I want to print Google Earth imagery in high quality. Do I need permission?
To get high-quality print resolution, we suggest you purchase Google Earth Pro. You may use the imagery as long as you retain on screen attribution as illustrated above. Please refer to print use for additional guidelines.

I would like to use Google Maps and Google Earth for commercial fee-based printing. How do I get permission?
Unfortunately, we do not have rights to grant you permission to use Google Maps and Google Earth in this manner. If you have a special request or additional questions, please fill out the Geo Permissions form.

I've read the permissions guidelines for Google Maps and Google Earth and am trying to determine whether my use of content is a 'fair use.' Can you please define 'fair use'?
Fair use is a concept under copyright law in the United States that, generally speaking, permits you to use a copyrighted work in certain ways without obtaining a license from the copyright holder. There are a variety of factors that affect whether or not your use of content would be considered a fair use, including the purpose and character of your use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount of the copyrighted material used, and the effect of your use upon the potential market for the copyrighted work. For example, there are differences between use in a for-fee service and use in a work of scholarship, or the use of a single map screenshot and the use of a detailed map image for an entire country. There are similar, although generally more limited, concepts in other countries' copyright laws, including a concept known as 'fair dealing' in a number of countries.

Google cannot tell you if your use of copyrighted material from our products would be a 'fair use' or would be considered 'fair dealing'; fair use is a concept that you need to work out depending on the circumstances of the use. We suggest you speak with an attorney if you have questions regarding fair use of copyrighted works.

For technical questions, please refer to our online help center for Google Maps and Google Earth.