Streetdirectory.com.sg shuts down

[Slowmo]

Virtual Map shuts down street directory site after losing suit

By Chua Hian Hou

POPULAR online map StreetDirectory.com has shut down, after the company behind it, Virtual Map, lost its appeal against the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) over copyright infringement last week.

 

The SLA, which originally issued Virtual Map a licence for its maps of Singapore, sued the company in January 2007 for continuing to use the SLA maps even after the licence had expired.

 

Virtual Map lost it case in the District Court, and was ordered to stop using the infringing materials. It appealed to the High Court, but lost again.

 

The site was taken down two days ago, said Virtual Map's managing director Firdhaus Akbar, but the company is currently working with a set of replacement, non-infringing maps, and hopes to bring the site back online in 'about two days'.

 

The are based on its own surveys, he said.

 

The company also intends to appeal to the highest court, the Court of Appeal, to reverse the decision, he said.

 

An audibly bitter Mr Ackbar, who was interviewed over the phone, said the privately-held company is calling a shareholders meeting either on Friday or Saturday to assess its position.

 

The meeting will decide whether to continue to provide what he claimed were 'the best maps in Singapore', or quit the business here and 'focus our efforts elsewhere'.

 

Virtual Map also offers online maps in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

 

Mr Ackbar said his company has spent 'millions' putting in value-added data like points-of-interest, on top of the maps SLA had provided.

 

Alternative online maps are available at sites like the SLA's StreetMap and Show Nearby.

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...13.html?vgnmr=1

 

 

 

Personally I think Virutal maps deserves it, they were suing quite a number of small companies and people for using their maps and charging licenses from USD2700 per map

[Rtth84]

They have my support. Its really the best map website for Singapore.

[Crossangel]

yea, they'll have my support too... why sue them?? they are also not doing a huge crime...!! They are helping us...!!!

[Ad23]

I 2nd that ...

 

I love their interface and ease of use.

[Tigershark1976]

haiz... was using SLA map for the pass 2 days... really catch no ball.... not as usual friendly compare to streetdirectory..

[Friendstar]

finally!

 

i think the website is lousy

 

i'm happier using my google map

[Apollo]

why? u neber read my signature meh?

[Blackyv]

dont know why, i also find their map not nice.. i always use can.com.sg ....

[Nutty]

Another one kena fixed... RIP.

[Nohnemwan]

I say well done, SLA.

 

That streetdirectory.com tried to tekan small businesses for using their map.

 

Now in a wonderful twist of fate they themselves kena jialat jialat until they have to shutdown their own website.

 

Who says there is no justice on this earth?

[Mustank]

i think those jokers tried to take on some stat boards or ministry for usign their map

 

so sla blow turbo

[Mustank]

i am not too sure whether this is useful for you guys but this link seems to work faster than streetdirectory.com

 

http://www.map.gov.sg/

[Deathstalker]

Darn it... What a fooking waste esp., SD is so easy to use & now no more...

 

Hope SLA will have a change of heart

[Rickster]

I second your opinion!

[Xtrider82]

What!? Nooooooooo!!

 

I have always been using www.streetdirectory.com to search for maps of places when I have no idea how to get there!

[Showtime]

really? i find it very slow. google maps is faster but it does not show building locations (hdb blocks, car parks etc)

[Tunge]

i am not too sure whether this is useful for you guys but this link seems to work faster than streetdirectory.com

 

http://www.map.gov.sg/

 

nice map.... like that i can drag the map which is not possible in SD. but won't say it's faster

[Mingsect]

dont know why, i also find their map not nice.. i always use can.com.sg ....

 

 

ya. can.com.sg not bad