Garmin's policy on illegal maps on a GPS

[tlchuan]

The largest Dutch Garmin retailer (www.gps-garmin.nl), who has close connections to the Dutch importer posted something interesting in their forum about Garmin's 2010 policy on illegally installed maps on a GPS:

... the policy on illegal maps will significantly change the course of 2010. Of any illegal map, installed at any time on the device, some traces will remain.

We have already seen that a defective unit that was still well within warranty is out of warranty repair due to the presence of such traces. This is not to scare you but a concrete experience.

Additionally, we also learned that at some point firmware will be adjusted so that the device itself, to find such traces, stops working (and then no longer under warranty). That seems a rather severe measure and may be subject to "intimidation". But we are certainly seeing some concrete developments in that direction ....

[rfary]

but in the end someone will always find a way to work around it.

[ramli]

Technically by law they cannot lah. Ini scare crow only.

[drsec]

Which land has laws that says that such maps as MFM are illegal?

[dvpro]

I don't think they are referring to 3rd party Garmin maps. I'd guess there are more concerned with illegitimate usage of Garmin official maps.

[yoladu]

i think in Garmin context, only Garmin NT maps are legitimate.

Cracked NT maps, and third party maps are considered non-authorised maps.

[simonysc]

We bought a garmin unit legally from authorised dealer preloaded with legal map of the region and obtained and install a legal free copy third party map such as MFM map. I don't understand which part is illegal.

[yoladu]

We bought a garmin unit legally from authorised dealer preloaded with legal map of the region and obtained and install a legal free copy third party map such as MFM map. I don't understand which part is illegal.

The technicality lies in the location of MFM map.

Typically, the Garmin authorised dealers will provide you the free third party map in the SD card. Since the SD card does not come standard with the Garmin device, the third party map within if deemed illegitimate, will not compromise their status as an authorised Garmin dealer since it was bought separately.

Like that say tio bo ?

[moeyhc]

I think they are referring to users who unlock their maps illegally. MfM will always stay legal unless they challenge our map format.... For a start stop updating your firmware.....

[drsec]

Are we second guessing here?