On the way to work this morning...

Update--iPod Map Guy in Trouble

An update on a post left a few months ago by red line. Red line told us about a website that offers FREE subway maps to download onto your iPod photo. It seems that the MTA has filed a cease and desist order against the website. It appears that the NYC Transit map is copyrighted. Apparently no one is allowed to find their way around without express written consent of the MTA. Now this seems a little strange since the subway map is FREE and is available just about everywhere and anywhere (including on the mta.info web page.) The website is attempting to raise the $500 required for a 1-year license, but since it gives the maps away for free it is having a hard time raising the money.

The MTA is very protective of its licenses and copyrights. A neat little bagel shop opened up on Smith and 9th Streets in Brooklyn a few months ago. The shop, F Line Bagels, is located underneath the F train line in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. The bagel shop is set up like a subway station with tiled walls and old subway station signs. The MTA threatened to sue them as well. However, after a local campaign in support of the shop, and the fact that the owners alerted the MTA that they had purchased the subway memorabilia from the MTA website and at MTA auctions, the MTA seemed to back down a bit.

posted by NYJustice @ 9:48 AM