BVG clarifies its stance on Berlin Trip Planner iPhone app, states copyright was violated

Posted by james on November 5th, 2008 at 04:29pm Comments

Just recently we wrote about BVG, Berlin’s subway operator, forcing the developer of Berlin Trip Planner iPhone app to remove detailed maps from the program. Back then we did not have any additional reasoning for this decision, except for a statement from BVG’s spokesperson that the company only wanted “the best for its customers“.

Lo and behold, only three days have passed and we’ve received an official response from BVG clarifying their decision. According to a press release posted on our site by a BVG public relations liaison (in German), BVG wanted to pull the plug on Berlin Trip Planner due to what they’ve perceived as copyright infringement.

According to BVG, the program’s developer used BVG’s network plan and station plans without express written permission, which according to the company’s policy is required if someone wants to reproduce them. Furthermore, the company states that it did not take any legal action against the developer since its demands were met.

BVG states that it is not opposed to innovative ideas, however it wants certain rules to be respected, the principle one being that any developers that would like to use their subway maps need to contact them in advance and request permission to do so, while BVG also requires a link to be provided to their website from the app in question, in order to make sure that users of Berlin’s subway would have access to most up-to-date maps and schedules.

BVG further states that it is willing to cooperate with any developer if these guidelines are followed, and even offers the developer of Berlin Trip Planner a chance to cooperate with them under these conditions.

Last but not least, the company reminds that it is already offering an online mobile website that contains timetables, subway maps and departure times at mobil.BVG.de. This service was active since August 2008, while further expansion to their online services is coming in 2009.

Related posts:

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4. New York Subway Maps for iPhone v0.4
5. Subway maps on your iPhone

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